The moment Rosinante spoke, Boa Python's expression changed completely.
Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Kaido of the Beasts, Big Mom, and Red-Haired Shanks were known throughout the world as the Four Emperors of the New World.
Shanks had only gained recognition from the other three Emperors in recent years, becoming the fourth ruler of the seas.
But even before Shanks rose to power, the title of "Four Emperors" had already existed.
And only now did Boa Python suddenly remember—
Kaido had once mentioned that before Red-Haired Shanks, the previous Fourth Emperor had been none other than Rosinante, the man known as the Dragon King.
"You're Rosinante?!" Boa Python exclaimed in shock.
"Weren't you dead?!"
"Well…" Rosinante shrugged casually.
"Looks like I didn't die completely."
"So I came back out for a little walk."
"What?"
"You have a problem with that?"
"Hahaha!" Boa Python suddenly laughed loudly.
"I truly didn't expect to meet a legendary figure from the past."
"Kaido-sama has actually praised you many times."
"But the New World can only accommodate four Emperors."
"Your return…"
"Will become the fuse that ignites the New World."
"And you will inevitably become an obstacle in Kaido-sama's path."
"So today…"
"You'll sink together with Dressrosa!"
As he spoke, a terrifying life force erupted from Boa Python's body.
Under the influence of that vitality, the severe injuries in his arm instantly regenerated.
"What terrifying vitality…" Law said in shock.
"Rosinante's attack just now destroyed nearly ninety percent of the muscles and bones in Boa Python's arm…"
"And yet it recovered instantly!"
As a doctor, Law could immediately judge how serious the damage had been.
And because he understood it so clearly, he was even more shocked.
"Fufufufu… an awakened Ancient Zoan truly is terrifying," Doflamingo said with a gloomy expression.
"With that monstrous vitality, he's forcibly breaking through the limits of the human body…"
"Temporarily stepping into that realm."
The life force surrounding Boa Python became denser and denser.
Eventually, it became so concentrated that it formed visible waves of life energy around him.
At the same time, his aura continued rising.
Stronger.
Stronger still.
Until it finally surpassed the limits of humanity and reached the level of an Admiral.
And even then—
It continued climbing higher.
"Oh?" Rosinante raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Interesting."
"But using your life force this recklessly…"
"Is it really worth it?"
Animal-type Devil Fruits indeed enhanced vitality, endurance, and recovery.
At their core, they relied upon the powerful life force inherent to beasts.
Awakened Zoans amplified this vitality even further.
Ancient Zoans were especially terrifying in that regard.
But even Ancient Zoans shouldn't possess life force to this degree.
With his Observation Haki, Rosinante could clearly sense that Boa Python was forcibly drawing out the hidden potential within his own life force.
This was likely some kind of body-stimulating technique designed to unleash latent power.
However—
It was extremely crude.
Not only did it cause enormous damage to the body itself, it also consumed massive amounts of lifespan.
And this wasn't merely ordinary stamina or vitality.
Even the life force of an awakened Ancient Zoan could not replenish such losses indefinitely.
"As long as I can clear the road for Kaido-sama," Boa Python said with a savage grin,
"What does a little lifespan matter?"
"This New World is filled with death everywhere."
"If you're unwilling to pay a price…"
"How could you possibly survive here?"
"In that case," Rosinante smiled faintly,
"I'll humor you a little."
"Humor me?" Boa Python's expression darkened.
"How arrogant, Dragon King."
A colder and more terrifying aura erupted from his body.
His eyes transformed into golden serpent pupils.
"In this state…"
"Even Kaido-sama himself would need considerable effort to defeat me."
"And you?"
"You're merely a Dragon King who disappeared for ten years."
The instant he finished speaking—
Boa Python slammed his foot into the ground.
The earth shattered inch by inch beneath him.
At the same time, his body transformed into a streak of light as he charged toward Rosinante with unimaginable speed.
In an instant, he was already directly in front of him.
"Python Strike!"
His fist shot forward like a giant serpent attacking with its life on the line.
But the moment the punch was thrown—
Boa Python's expression changed again.
Rosinante had vanished completely.
Not a trace remained.
Where had he gone?
Boa Python hadn't seen anything at all.
"I think Kaido probably just considered you a very durable punching bag," Rosinante's voice suddenly sounded from behind him.
Boa Python's face changed once more.
Before Rosinante spoke, he hadn't sensed his presence at all.
But now was not the time to think about that.
Boa Python possessed enormous combat experience.
The instant Rosinante's voice sounded, he immediately turned and punched backward without hesitation.
But just as he raised his arm—
A powerful force suddenly struck his lower back.
BOOM!
His body was blasted away uncontrollably.
Boa Python shot forward at incredible speed, unable to stabilize himself under the immense force.
Then—
Another impact arrived instantly.
This time from the exact opposite direction.
The attack slammed directly into his chest and blasted him flying backward again.
One strike after another came crashing into him.
Boa Python couldn't even see Rosinante's figure.
He was battered through the air repeatedly like a toy.
Wounds continuously appeared across his body.
Though his terrifying life force kept healing them instantly—
Gradually, even that overwhelming vitality began reaching its limit.
Soon—
His injuries stopped recovering entirely.
Then suddenly—
A voice sounded above him.
"Dragon-Crushing Fist."
Boa Python looked up.
And in his vision, a gigantic radiant dragon descended with lightning speed.
Before he could react—
The massive dragon-shaped strike slammed directly into him and smashed him violently into the ground below.