Tatsu's Rationale
Tatsu, having endured the physical and psychological pain of his tail, the mountain's thin air, and the lake's crushing pressure, has developed a brutal yet effective philosophy of self-improvement. He does not see Gohan's methods as incorrect, but rather as inefficient and even dangerous in a world that, unbeknownst to Gohan, is filled with beings far stronger than anything on Earth.Gohan's way isn't wrong, mine is betterTatsu's mind, molded by Saiyan instincts and Gohan's gentle influence, synthesizes a strange, but logical, conclusion.
Complementary methods: Tatsu does not believe Gohan is a bad teacher. Gohan's patience and peaceful examples are responsible for tempering Tatsu's fiercer instincts, allowing his pragmatic, problem-solving side to emerge. Tatsu views his own methods not as a replacement for Gohan's, but as a necessary addendum, a more direct and efficient path to power that Gohan's gentle training cannot provide.
The path to control: While Gohan teaches control through meditation and calm, Tatsu has learned it through combat and brute force. For Tatsu, a controlled ki sphere is not a sign of inner peace, but a controlled weapon. This is the ultimate lesson of a warrior: control over one's own power is the first step toward conquering your opponent.
Unspoken wisdom: Tatsu's refusal to use words to explain his methods is a testament to his Saiyan nature. He does not understand the nuances of human language and communication. His lessons are delivered through action, and he expects Goku, his "pod neighbor," to understand instinctively, as he does.Holding back is good trainingTatsu's brutal approach to training is a direct consequence of his Saiyan upbringing and his understanding of power.
Mimicking a life-or-death situation: By forcing Goku to endure physical hardships—the pressure of the lake, the crush of the thin air—Tatsu is teaching him to fight while handicapped. In his mind, this is not cruelty, but a necessary preparation for a real battle where a warrior might lose an arm or get severely injured.
A "soft" lesson: Tatsu's head-flick and drumstick share is a perfect example of his "holding back." He has the power to severely injure or kill Goku, but he doesn't. He inflicts a small amount of pain to make a point, to "toughen him up," and then immediately rewards the proper behavior with a practical solution.
Controlled aggression: This method allows Tatsu to teach Goku the brutal realities of combat without actually harming him. He is constantly gauging his strength, holding back his true power to ensure that his lessons are not fatal, but formative.Fight once if dead, fight many if liveThis statement is the core of Tatsu's Saiyan-Earthling philosophy. It is a brutal, pragmatic approach to survival that he has learned from observing Gohan and internalizing his own Saiyan history.
Gohan's lesson, Tatsu's version: Tatsu has seen Gohan's kindness and wisdom. He knows that his "pack leader" values life and coexistence. But Tatsu, with his warrior instincts, has translated this lesson into a practical, survivalist truth. The more you fight and win, the more you live. The more you live, the more you can protect your "pack."
The brutal reality: In Tatsu's mind, Gohan's desire for peace is a noble but naive goal. For Tatsu, the true path to peace is through strength and dominance. By training his body and mind to be as powerful as possible, he is ensuring that he will always be able to protect his family and his territory.
A new morality: Tatsu's actions are not born of malice but of a distorted form of protection. He believes that by forcing Goku to face adversity and become stronger, he is preparing him for a world far more dangerous than Mt. Paozu. His brutal, single-minded focus is an expression of his devotion, a powerful, unwavering commitment to his "pod neighbor."