Okay, Hiro and emotional moments rarely went in pair together. He does try it often but most often fails - the sock tearing or Raven's psychoo chick in beaten state in this chapter are another newest examples. Bare some moments in other chapters, most of the emotional scenes were overpowered by the great dosage of hilarity.
So, it's a pleasant surprise that he spring up such a poignant emotional build-up with Elfman. Bacchus, teasing Elfman with a bet on Mirajane and Lisanna, was fantastic stuff. It was effective, bold, villainous and you really could feel the emotions of Elfman. Brilliant!
The first half of the chapter was usual FT though. A new magic move (Mimic), a funny name (Doggish Dude lol), a funny reaction (Erza going all schweet over Doggie Dude's idiocy), an okay battle and a troll moment (Elfman chosen instead of Erza).
I'm rooting for Elfman definitely. He's looking beast and after this fabulous emotional build-up and the fact that he's an underdog, I'm gonna get pissed if Hiro trolls him. Audience are also more on FT side now being the emotional underdog and thus I think, their 2nd day are going to be full of overturning situations in their favor. Kick his ass, Elfman!
I'd give it a 3/5 but I found the Bacchus/Elfman angle extremely great build-up material with heavy emotional factor. It's something unusual from the classic fanservice+battle+trolling of Hiro and for that praiseworthy attempt, 4/5.