Clearing the unique flames of Fire Mountain without damaging the mountain or the castle was a tedious and time-consuming task.
Even with Yamiru's current strength — among the top on Earth — it was impossible for him to continuously use the Kamehameha all day long.
For the sake of his health, he spent half the day carefully extinguishing the flames and used the other half to rest and study the peculiar fire that engulfed the mountain.
Six days had passed since Yamiru arrived at Fire Mountain.
In that time, he discovered that the flames were not entirely static. According to the Ox-King, the fire that had first descended onto the mountaintop wasn't as extensive as it was when Yamiru retrieved the Dragon Ball.
However, as the fire expanded to its current size, it seemed to reach a balance and stopped spreading.
"If that's the case, these flames aren't just consuming natural ki or the underworld's ki/energy..."
Yamiru was now almost certain that this fire originated from the Furnace of Eight Divisions guarded by Annin, the god residing in the realm of the Mount Five Element at the world's edge — a place mentioned by the masked figure at Baba's palace. Coincidentally, both the furnace and the resulting fire had produced similar phenomena.
"If these flames purely run on the ki of the two realms, it's only a matter of time before Earth is completely scorched... Besides, doesn't the continuous consumption of the underworld's ki irritate the bigshots over there?"
After six days of relentless effort, Yamiru had cleared most of the major flames at the mountaintop with hundreds of Kamehameha blasts.
While Yamiru worked, the Ox-King and Chi-Chi moved their belongings from the temporary shelter back into the castle.
The prolonged burning had destroyed much of the vegetation, ground, and parts of the castle. Yet, the father and daughter cheerfully busied themselves rebuilding their home. The Ox-King, when Chi-Chi wasn't looking, also discreetly disposed of the bodies of outlaw servants who had died in the flames. Exhausted and covered in soot each day, they still took the time to prepare delicious meals for Yamiru, who had grown increasingly absorbed in observing the fire.
Not far from the mountaintop castle, Yamiru intentionally left a small patch of flames — a five-by-five-meter square — for further study.
"What's so fascinating about fire...?"
Chi-Chi, with nothing else to do, often watched Yamiru from a distance as he observed the flames.
She had had enough of the relentless blaze over the past few days and couldn't understand why Yamiru was so drawn to it.
The Ox-King, however, spoke in a serious tone: "Master Roshi once told us a story about his teacher, Mutaito. In pursuit of martial enlightenment, he stared at a cliffside waterfall in silence for seven days and nights. In the end, he split the waterfall in half with a single strike. Maybe Yamiru is now approaching the level of someone like Mutaito."
"..." Chi-Chi blinked, failing to follow her father's lengthy explanation.
"But I'm truly happy," the Ox-King said with a genuine smile. "Seeing Yamiru now reminds me of the time he first passed by our home on Cool Mountain a few years ago. Back then, you were still in your mother's womb. At that time, I honestly didn't think a kid like him could go far on the martial path.
"I've seen countless people flocking to Master Roshi for training over the years, myself included. Later, as Master Roshi appeared less and less, those people turned to my senior brother, Son Gohan, to train. Eventually, even Son Gohan retreated into the mountains... I've never understood their thoughts. In the end, people like me, the simple ones, remain ordinary and accomplish little."
Chi-Chi could barely follow her father's train of thought.
But she understood that her father wasn't really speaking to her. He was talking to himself — his voice was just loud because of his enormous size.
"That's why I'm so happy. Yamiru achieved his goal. He's reached heights I can't even imagine." the Ox-King touched his horn and sighed, "I envy him..."
"I've got it!"
Suddenly, Yamiru's shout broke the air as he slapped his thigh in excitement.
"Did he discover something new?"
The Ox-King smiled, pleased, but chose not to interrupt. He knew he wouldn't understand and couldn't offer any advice. Sure enough, Yamiru pulled out a capsule plane, entered the cockpit, and took off into the sky. He skillfully controlled the rudder, his golden eyes glued to the scenery outside the cabin window.
The plane circled over Fire Mountain, gradually expanding the diameter of its trajectory.
"It's getting late. Chi-Chi, let's prepare a feast for Yamiru!"
The Ox-King clapped his hands.
Chi-Chi happily followed him.
In the sky, Yamiru used his enhanced vision to observe the trajectory of the underworld's ki. Only late at night, when hunger finally overcame him, did he descend to quickly eat. After filling his stomach, he flew back into the sky to continue his observations.
The next morning, the silhouette of distant mountains blurred in the dawn light, and the plane's black shadow cut across the horizon. A beam of light shone through the window, reflecting in Yamiru's sharp golden eyes. At that moment, he saw everything clearly.
In the sky, new underworld ki — dark golden clouds of the netherworld — had begun to form.
Following the trajectory of its formation, Yamiru's gaze shifted downward, focusing on the remaining 25-square-meter patch of fire outside the castle.
"So, the Furnace of Eight Divisions flames don't just consume natural and underworld ki. The expelled energy creates new underworld ki — and possibly natural ki as well. The radiated heat and light likely flow back into Earth, sustaining the balance of yin and yang, the order of life and death. This is the true purpose of Annin's work!
The heat from the Furnace of Eight Divisions serves as a passage for departed souls and fuels the cycle of underworld ki.
But... in the myths Bulma read, and from the murals in the underground ruins, it seems that ancient Earth didn't have anything like the Mount Five Element or the Furnace of Eight Divisions. If I recall, Tights once mentioned something about immortal mountains. Could that have been the predecessor of the Mount Five Element?
In those ancient times, the leakage of underworld ki, the Furnace of Eight Divisions, heavenly fire, Annin..
Demons rampaging, the Great Demon King Satan, the White God, and the 'Radiant Savior'... not to mention the animal-and monster-type Earthlings, likely born from exposure to underworld ki or demonic influence. Oh, right! I remember Jiora once mentioned that Earth was a temporary settlement for various alien civilizations. No wonder descendants like Tien Shinhan exist. That ancient era must have been a chaotic age full of heroes."
The many mysteries Yamiru had encountered on Dragon Ball's Earth were finally starting to connect.
Though the puzzle wasn't complete, the clarity brought him peace of mind. With a comfortable sigh, Yamiru realized how hungry he was.
Back at the partially rebuilt castle, the Ox-King and Chi-Chi had prepared a sumptuous breakfast.
"What about the remaining flames? Shouldn't we put them out?" the Ox-King asked.
"With such a small amount left, as long as it stays balanced and doesn't spread, I think it's a valuable resource," Yamiru replied between mouthfuls, clearly enjoying his meal. "Those flames have unique properties that are excellent for mastering ki techniques. I wasn't just staring at them for fun these past few days."
He paused and raised his hand, where a bright white glow emanated from his palm, nearly transparent.
Licking a drop of porridge from the corner of his mouth, Yamiru grinned. "I've made great progress with my techniques. Thanks for the support!"
The Ox-King, impressed, exclaimed, "That's incredible!"
Yamiru paid no heed, quickly finishing his meal before taking a brief nap.
But his nap was interrupted by a strange dream.
In the dream, he rode a dark golden cloud — not the Flying Nimbus, but a demonic cloud from the underworld. As he traversed the skies, he realized he had transformed into a demonic version of the Demon Dragon. Somehow, he encountered Tights, who playfully morphed into a seductive demoness with horns, sharp fangs, and a long tail.
Then, without warning, she began undressing, and an indescribably delightful scene unfolded...
In the midst of this, Tights suddenly asked him for a gift. Confused, Yamiru asked what gift she meant. She scolded him, saying it was to make up for his tardiness.
He racked his brain, unable to understand what he was supposed to make amends for. When he looked up at her fair face, it blurred into the light, leaving only her luscious lips moving — her voice distant, as if from another world.
Yamiru felt like he had forgotten something important... something crucial...
Suddenly, he jolted awake.
"The tournament! Damn it, I'm late!"
Yamiru yelled, jumping to his feet in a panic.