While I consider OP a mash of bad direction nowadays, this episode was actually good. Buggy part looked silly and out of place, but it wasn't really that bothersome. If they needed extra time, I'd rather they showed how he reacted when he realized that the black bat carried an invitation to join Shichibukai.
I hoped the fillers are going to be longer. 3 episodes is too little, and I fear we'll get back to terrible pacing in a few episodes.
There may be fillers during the arc. Barto fillers could be good (him running around screaming or a bigger backstory). Still waiting for fillers on Garp's childhood.