Funkfreed

Funkfreed is Spandam's sword, a unique weapon that "ate" the Zou Zou no Mi and became an Elephant Sword (象剣). As such, he also serves as a pet and unofficial bodyguard for Spandam, compensating his master's physical slightness.

Appearance
Untransformed, Funkfreed appears as a large and intimidating cutlass-esque sword, typically slung over-the-shoulder by Spandam. Only a few vestiges of his animal form are visible, most notably a pair of tusks set into the guard, and a tail-shaped tassel extending from the pommel.

Fully transformed, he appears as a gentle, friendly-looking elephant, about one or two heads taller than Spandam. Much of his upper body is covered by an elaborate leather harness vaguely resembling a jhul cloth (with headgear somewhat similar to Spandam's mask). His hide is an ordinary stone-gray (white in the anime).

In his hybrid form, his head and upper torso (notably smaller than those of his full-beast form) extend from the hilt in a serpent-like manner, with the blade melding into his trunk.

Personality
Funkfreed is a peaceable, devoted animal, effectively Spandam's closest (if not only) friend. As such, he tends to be physically affectionate in peacetime, and obedient during battle; however, he is not a particularly brave combatant, and will easily surrender if placed in direct danger.

Abilities and Powers
As a sword empowered by the Zou Zou no Mi, Funkfreed carries all the standard abilities of Zoan-type Devil Fruit, and can transform between an elephant-sword hybrid and a full elephant at Spandam's command. This grants him the size and strength of an elephant, the sharpness and durability of a steel blade, and a sentient mind able to strategize between the two; his hybrid form is particularly flexible, and well-trained enough to ram opponents in tight spaces without any fatal damage.

However, given that Spandam has virtually no ability as a swordsman, most of Funkfreed's asset lies in catching others by surprise. His capacities for open battle amount to little, his temperament even less.

Water 7 Arc
Funkfreed blithely accompanied Spandam at Enies Lobby while awaiting the return of CP9's Water 7 infiltration team (Rob Lucci, Kaku, Kalifa, and Blueno).

Enies Lobby Arc
After the Water 7 team returned, Funkfreed passively witnessed the detained Nico Robin and Franky, a Golden Den Den Mushi being flaunted by Spandam, and even the Straw Hat Pirates' initial storming of Enies Lobby. He was not called on to act until the Straw Hats breached the Tower of Justice; panicked by their success, Spandam immediately began forcing Robin to a Marine Headquarters convoy on the island's far coast, bringing Funkfreed (reverted to sword form) and Lucci as guards.

Once Lucci separated to head off Monkey D. Luffy's pursuit, Spandam was forced to use Funkfreed alone to stop Robin's escape attempts. While initially successful, Funkfreed faltered when Franky caught up to them on the Bridge of Hesitation; outmatched by the cyborg's strength and threatened with a point-blank Weapons Left, he quickly surrendered and retreated to his full-elephant form, whereupon Franky grabbed him by the trunk and tossed him atop Spandam.

One Piece Film: Gold
Spandam appears to have kept Funkfreed (or a superficially similar sword) after his transfer to CP0. During his attack on Gran Tesoro, he attempted to use the sword to execute a Seastone-chained Luffy, only to be intercepted by Rikka.

Anime and Manga Differences
The anime initially depicted Funkfreed with a white hide (possibly as a deliberate reference to the "white" elephants revered in various South Asian cultures)—a fact later contradicted by Volume 42's cover, which colored him a more conventional gray. Much later, the Episode of Merry special redesigned him to match the manga's color scheme.

Major Battles

 * Funkfreed and Spandam vs. Franky

Non-Playable Appearances

 * One Piece: Unlimited Adventure
 * One Piece: Unlimited Cruise

Trivia

 * According to an SBS column, Spandam has owned an elephant since childhood. Whether this was in fact Funkfreed remains unknown.
 * Funkfreed's favorite food is bananas.

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