Oda hates leaving important plotlines actually... lost. Look at how many old characters are being shown as still important.
We're just hasty and impatient, and want those pay offs now. I really would have liked to see the D revealed here, though, at least the name.
But, overall, Egghead's been a great arc for pushing the plot forward.
Do you think the Straw Hats will fully escape, or not? And, do you think they'll escape by ship, Kuma, or something else?