Logically, for these continuously burning flames to never extinguish, there would have to be no energy loss during combustion.
But that assumption was clearly wrong.
Yamiru could distinctly feel the heat radiating through the air. Since these flames emitted heat, it proved that they were constantly losing energy.
Energy out with no energy in? Only losing energy without replenishing it?
That was even more implausible.
Yet, the fire hadn't spread over time. The Mountain wasn't engulfed in flames; only the initial area where the "fire spirit", as oolong described in the original work, descended was burning.
If left unchecked, these flames would continue burning for another nine years — the time in the manga when Son Goku and Bulma arrived at Fire Mountain. If the fuel for these flames were the mountain's terrain or its trees, then no matter how efficiently it burned, it shouldn't remain confined to just the mountain's peak for ten whole years.
Naturally, Yamiru began speculating. The fuel for these flames wasn't tangible matter but rather pure energy.
Natural energy, or perhaps something else?
As if to validate his hypothesis, the range of Yamiru's Golden gaze expanded once again. Under the gaze of his Golden Veil, the raging flames of Fire Mountain began to reveal a different form — as though a filter had been applied. He saw flames flickering in another hue.
These flames were not ordinary by any standard.
Yamiru saw it.
The tongues of flame were absorbing faint specks of light, much like the way a Spirit Bomb gathers energy from nature. Yamiru strained to distinguish the difference between this natural energy and the ki he could see within human bodies through his fiery vision. However, the details remained elusive. All he could discern was a vague aura of natural energy surrounding the flames, continuously being consumed by them.
"So that's it. This fire uses natural energy as its fuel?"
Yamiru was impressed. No wonder it had been burning for so many years around the Ox-King's unfortunate castle. Natural energy was inexhaustible and perpetual. Forget ten years — these flames could probably burn for a hundred years without going out naturally.
Feeling assured, Yamiru gathered his energy for another Kamehameha and aimed at another section of the inferno, blasting out yet another clear path through the flames.
This time, with the enhanced vision from his Golden Veil, he saw the process clearly.
When the Kamehameha collided with the flames — seemingly composed of special energy — the flames couldn't consume the volatile and destructive ki of the attack. As a result, the flames were scattered and extinguished entirely.
No matter how mystical a substance, once its foundational structure was destroyed by the Kamehameha, it could no longer maintain its form.
Now, Yamiru understood the principle behind the Kamehameha's ability to extinguish the flames of Fire Mountain.
Relieved, he worked even harder. One blast after another — third, fourth, and more — each successfully carved out more paths through the flames. The once-raging fire at the mountain's summit was visibly diminishing, with blue-white energy beams leaving swathes of scorched but fire-free ground in their wake.
But soon, Yamiru's energy was depleted. Exhausted, he tried to gather ki for another Kamehameha, only to find that his palms produced nothing but a wisp of smoke.
Too tired!
Yamiru plopped down on the ground, drained. Fortunately, with much of the fire cleared, the temperature had dropped significantly, and the ground was no longer too hot to sit on.
"Take a break. Don't overwork yourself."
The Ox-King handed Yamiru a bag of water, smiling warmly. "Come to my house for a meal first. You'll need a full stomach to keep your strength up."
After working tirelessly, it was already past noon.
Little Chi-Chi, overheated and drowsy, was nodding off beside them. Her flushed cheeks were a bright red from the intense heat.
Yamiru gulped down a few mouthfuls of lukewarm water. In truth, he was already hot, hungry, and fatigued. Hearing the Ox-King's suggestion, he didn't refuse and followed the father and daughter down the mountain.
The Ox-King and Chi-Chi had built a new home at the mountain's base.
However, the conditions at the new home couldn't compare to the castle at the mountain's summit. Still, it was far better than the home where Grandpa Gohan, Son Goku, and Yamiru lived together at Mount Paozu.
Yamiru didn't mind. If he cared about luxury, he wouldn't have returned the Capsule House at Mount Paozu to Dr. Brief and his team.
At the dining table, Yamiru ate voraciously, his appetite wild and unrestrained. Chi-Chi couldn't help but push plate after plate of food toward him.
After spending so much time eating alongside Son Goku, Yamiru's appetite seemed to have grown tremendously. If he didn't ate quickly, that kid Son Goku would devour everything in an instant.
"Ah, I'm stuffed!"
Patting his stomach, Yamiru prepared to head back up the mountain.
"In such a hurry? You can rest for a bit."
The Ox-King was surprised. It wasn't often you'd see someone so eager to help. This kid, Yamiru, was genuinely kind-hearted.
Yamiru smiled and waved him off. In truth, he was eager to continue studying the mysterious flames on the mountain.
Moreover…
The changes in his Golden Veil had piqued his interest.
It seemed that the range of what his Golden Veil could perceive was shifting based on his thoughts and intentions.
He recalled the first time he used the Golden Veil to see humanoid ki — it was in Dr. Gero's lab.
Back then, Yamiru's only concern was escaping to save himself.
The unexpected awakening of the "ki vision" ability in his Golden Veil greatly increased his chances of survival.
The second time, it was when he was surrounded by the hellish demonic Energy. Unable to control the influx of this dark energy, he was on the verge of exploding or succumbing to corruption. At that moment, the Golden Veil allowed him to see the nature of the hellish Energy.
And now, as Yamiru analyzed and speculated about the strange flames of Fire Mountain — reasoning that they must be fueled by some unseen, immaterial energy — his Golden Veil once again responded. Sure enough, he saw it. Not only did he discern the composition of the flames, but he also saw the energy they consumed.
Unknowingly, Yamiru had made his way back to the midsection of Fire Mountain.
He didn't immediately resume to clearing the site, but instead stopped before a wall of blazing fire. Through the unique vision granted by his Golden Veil, he stared at the flames that appeared so distinct from ordinary fire.
"Come to think of it… everything 'new' that my eyes reveal to me is something that either exists within my understanding or something I've subconsciously anticipated as being possible."
Yamiru pondered.
The first "new" phenomenon he witnessed was the ki within human bodies.
That was self-explanatory. Yamiru had read all 42 volumes of the Dragon Ball manga countless times. For a Dragon Ball fan like him, the concept of ki was as fundamental as a law of the universe. Under life-threatening circumstances, the Golden Veil tapped into his ingrained knowledge to awaken this ability.
The second was the hellish demonic ki of the underworld.
At the time, no one had explicitly explained this phenomenon to Yamiru. However, having endured the effects of the Devilmite Beam firsthand, he was acutely aware of something violently surging into his body — it was impossible not to notice. The sensation of being on the verge of exploding left no room for doubt. Coupled with the Demon Clan's. In the face of life and death, his Golden Veil succeeded in revealing the Hellish Energy.
For the third time, the unique energy fueling these special flames.
"The reason my 'perception' could be reflected as 'reality' the last two times was that my understanding wasn't wrong — it was real! If there were no such thing as human ki or the hellish demonic clouds of the underworld, my so-called understanding would have been nothing but a delusion."
Yamiru's golden eyes fixated on the peculiar energy within the flames as he attempted to gather ki into his right palm.
"Then, conversely, since I can indeed see more details about these flames this time, it proves that my theories are more or less correct."
At his current level, Yamiru lacked the mastery to fully control the ki within his body. His awareness of its existence was vague at best. He couldn't manipulate his ki at will yet. His ability to perform the Kamehameha was only possible because it was a mature technique refined by Master Roshi.
Creating something entirely new, such as a "ki sphere" in his palm, was not feasible at this stage, as Yamiru had not fully mastered his own energy.
This was precisely why Yamcha's development of the Spirit Ball during the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament was so significant — it demonstrated his deeper understanding of ki.
Previously, when Yamiru had demonstrated his power to Tights, he had only managed to condense energy into his palm, emitting a faint white glow and a noticeable warmth — nothing more.
Now, Yamiru used the same crude method, gathering as much of his energy as he could into his right hand. Slowly, he extended his energy-laden hand toward the blazing flames.
"Hey! Yamiru!"
The Ox-King's booming voice echoed from behind, accompanied by heavy, hurried footsteps. He thought Yamiru was about to harm himself.
Yet Yamiru didn't seem to hear him. As his energy-filled hand approached the flames, he clearly saw, through his Golden Veil, the ki from his hand being drawn toward the tongues of fire. The flames absorbed it bit by bit... But if they consumed energy, why didn't they "grow"? Could it be that all the energy they absorbed was converted solely into heat?
Realizing Yamiru wasn't actually thrusting his hand into the fire, the Ox-King relaxed. Seeing that Yamiru appeared deep in thought, he chose not to interrupt.
"Wait!"
Yamiru's mind raced as his Golden Veil revealed something astonishing. The peculiar energy within the flames wasn't just consuming ki — it was also releasing energy. This released energy was chaotic, distinct from the ki it consumed, but it seemed to be in the process of transforming back into natural ki.
Maintaining his Golden Veil, Yamiru scanned his surroundings.
"Why are you crying?" the Ox-King finally asked, unable to hold back any longer.
"Huh?" Yamiru was startled. Chi-Chi approached, offering him a handkerchief. Wiping his eyes, Yamiru found them damp and burning. Embarrassed, he said, "I was wondering why my eyes felt so uncomfortable... Turns out I was staring at the flames for too long..."
He trailed off, suddenly realizing something. Spinning around, he looked toward the sky above Fire Mountain.
The demonic clouds of the underworld and the Demonic energy here were thinner than at Kame House! In fact, the skies here were almost clear, with the infernal energy so faint it was barely perceptible.
Yamiru turned back toward the raging flames.
The flames from Mount Five Element's Furnace of Eight Divisions! He recalled the directions he had received from Baba's crystal ball. Evidently, the flames from the furnace didn't burn mere firewood or natural ki — they even included traces of hellish energy leaking from the underworld!
"The one who guards the gates between the realms of the living and the dead..." Yamiru muttered to himself. "I see."