Chapter LOOKS great.
Croc is totally badass, not cheapen like some of you worried. Though I do worry that the guy will be used to showcase Shiryuu's strength, the latter is called "Shiryu of the RAIN" for a reason I believe. But usually Oda handles his character with more care than that.
Can't say I like the overall pacing though. The only real infomation we gained from this chap is that we're 5 hours away from Ace's execution and he is already out on the sea, meaning the Great Event at this point won't likely to take place at ID. Everything else, while still cool, are events expected.
Oda sure is taking his time with this Great Event, so much so that a loyal fan like me is starting to lose patience. I remember reading somewhere that Oda states he wants the SHs to be in the New World by the end of this year (someone confirm/deny?) but I'm beginning to doubt that.
Random thought: you know if Oda really wants to screw around, WB ends up not showing up at all. I mean up to this point, everybody, both readers and in story characters alike, fully expected WB to come to Ace's rescue. Would be f'd up yet hilarious the old man just changes his mind last second: meh he's just one of the 16.