@Koin - "this entire chapter's purpose was to tell us that no progress was made..."
Which then leads to the conclusion that no progress *will* be made. We have moved into the eternal stalling phase of this manga where everyone will clumsily avoid understanding themselves and each other to extend the run as long as possible. Then, when everyone is sick of it, they'll give the mangaka 2 chapters to wrap it all up. And the chapter is completely upfront about it.
This chapter does not bode well for the series.