Spandam pointedly addresses and names his elephant Funkfreed in his very first scene — “Isn’t that right, Funkfreed?!” (Ch. 365 p. 2). Oda rarely names a one-panel pet without a payoff. The conspicuous naming + the elephant’s placement at the villain’s side seeds a later reveal of the creature’s combat nature.
The payoff
Earliest known caller
(Unknown.)
Why this matters
Establishes the Oda grammar that a villain’s conspicuously-named “pet” is a planted weapon. Cross-link Funkfreed, Spandam, CP9.