(With Tatsu and Goku now comfortable with their playful splashes in the stream, a new opportunity for growth, and a new test for Gohan's methods, presents itself. The stream flows down into a deeper, murkier lake, a place populated by creatures that Tatsu's instincts immediately identify as both different and a challenge).
A new territory, a new fightTatsu, standing on the shore of the lake with Goku, senses the world beneath the water's surface. He feels the heavy resistance of the water, the strange movements of the creatures within, and the deeper, colder pressure. His Saiyan mind doesn't process these as environmental factors, but as a composite opponent, a new, more difficult "fight" than the mountain or the stream.
"Harder to breathe": Tatsu, remembering the mountain's challenge, senses that the deep water will be another version of that same fight. The challenge of holding his breath and enduring the crushing pressure is a test of his stamina and willpower, a contest he is eager to win.
"Harder to move": The water's heavy resistance is a new form of gravity, a force pushing back against his every movement. This is a far better fight than the thin air of the mountain. Every punch, every kick will be a more demanding effort, a true test of his strength.
"A better fight": The water creatures, with their strange forms and unpredictable movements, are the "opponents" in this new battle. Tatsu's "battle meditation" kicks in, and he begins to map out this new territory in terms of threats and opportunities. He sees their movements, their forms, and he instinctively knows he can beat them.Tatsu's underwater training regimeTatsu, without a moment's hesitation, begins to train in this new environment, and he forces Goku to join him, just as he did with the hand-holding. For Tatsu, this is not a choice; it is simply the next step on their path to becoming stronger.
Gravity and endurance training: Tatsu and Goku sink to the bottom of the lake, Tatsu holding Goku firmly. They hold their breath, fighting the crushing pressure and the need for air, just as Tatsu fought the mountain's thin air. The heavy resistance of the water is a new, natural form of gravity training, one that challenges their Saiyan bodies in a new way.
Fighting the water creatures: Tatsu engages the water creatures, not out of hunger, but out of a need to dominate the new territory. His "battle meditation" allows him to perceive their movements and weaknesses, and he fights them with a mix of brute force and newly refined control. He forces Goku to engage as well, pushing the smaller Saiyan to face his own fear and grow stronger in the new environment.
Refined ki control: Tatsu learns that the water's resistance can be overcome with a precise, controlled ki push. He refines his ki control, not through meditation, but through combat, learning to move with explosive power and pinpoint accuracy even while submerged. He teaches Goku this as well, not with words, but with a forceful, demanding example.The silent progressGohan watches from the shore, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and pride. He sees Tatsu and Goku engaging with this new challenge, pushing themselves to new limits.He is terrified of the potential danger, but he also sees the quiet, powerful progress.Tatsu is not just fighting; he is learning and growing in a way that Gohan's gentle methods never could have fostered.He is channeling his primal aggression and protective instincts into a new, more demanding form of self-improvement.Tatsu's Saiyan nature, once a liability, is now a powerful tool for growth. He is a warrior learning to be more, pushing himself and his "pack" toward an unknown and powerful future.