I can't really believe that people are actually buying this. If you are experienced enough with FT, you must realize the fact that Mashima KNOWS what the audience is expecting from him. And whenever TWO chapters are released together, 90% of time the content is unimpressive or Trollshima throwing the bait. That is why he releases 2 chapters at once, so that he can get to the good stuff quickly(like he did with Avatar arc..which he made up for through chapter 436). He intentionally does this to calm the atmosphere and cause a transition (he knew that Tartarus was depressing so he dropped the intensity with happy-go-lucky Avatar/reunion arc.. he has said so in the afterword of vol. 48/49). Idk why he does this anyway. The moment I saw Ichiya, I knew that I was not supposed to take this chapter seriously.
As for the chapter, do you REALLY think the Wahl Raijinshuu fought was something Zeref would take under his wing? NO! This Wahl had the same atmosphere around which could be compared to the likes of Rufus and Rustyrose. He was tricky but do you really think this is all he could have up his sleeve especially after the ending statement and the last panel with that unusual smile on his face (Who the heck smiles after being defeated?). The moment he was introduced he said something along the lines of "love is sinful". So you can clearly expect one of your legit 'ships to be his REAL opponents.
And plus he nullified Freed's barrier magic (there's no way he could expose it's weakness because Freed actually said that Jutsu Shiki was the "perfect" defense). AND in that silhouette in chapter 440, you can see a rodent sitting on Wahl's shoulder ( Nullification and Rodent kinda leads us to Obra from Raven Tail, doesn't it?)
As for Brandish, its obvious she has more in her head than she looks like.. If I'm correct, it does seem like Hiro is following a pattern with the first wave of Spriggans Ajeel, Brandish and Wahl (i.e. make it look like they're KOed only for them to get up and cause trouble later).