Ultra Instinct is one of the most potency techniques found within the Dragon Ball series, enabling Goku to act instinctually during battle and virtually unstoppable against opponents. Reaching this state, though difficult even for gods themselves, requires dedication and training. How did Goku learn Ultra Instinct? Here's how Goku Super Saiyan discovered and created Ultra Instinct!
1. What Is Ultra Instinct?
Ultra Instinct is not an actual transformation but more accurately an ability or technique which enables an individual's body to respond automatically when faced with threats without needing conscious thought, leading them to respond faster than ever making it almost impossible for opponents to land a hit against them.
Ultra Instinct can be described as a state of elevated awareness wherein body movement occurs independently and independently from thought processes, even for gods of destruction such as Beerus himself. Whis, an angelic mentor of Beerus', first introduced Ultra Instinct as a level of control beyond mere strength.
2. The Tournament of Power: Triggering Ultra Instinct
Goku first gained access to his Ultra Instinct during Dragon Ball Super's Tournament of Power multiverse event. Presented as a high-stakes battle royale between each universe for survival, Goku found himself pitted against Jiren from Universe 11, an immensely powerful warrior who exceeded even Goku's Super Saiyan Blue and mr buu forms in power and strength.
At one defining moment in their battle between Goku and yajirobe, Goku attempted to use his Spirit Bomb against Jiren but it was deflected back with such force that its intensity ignited Goku's body to its limit and led him into Ultra Instinct for the first time - thus awakening "Ultra Instinct -Sign-." While temporarily protecting him against attacks while landing some blows against Jiren, its unstable nature quickly depleted his energy reserves.
3. Further Training and Refinement
 While Goku's initial Ultra Instinct form was raw and unstable, during the Tournament of Power he managed to refine it further by training in it under intense pressure against Kefla and Jiren; each time, Goku managed to reawaken Ultra Instinct multiple times until eventually, when facing off against Jiren himself for their final battle, his full ability was fully manifested resulting in "Mastered Ultra Instinct."
Goku's hair turned silver as his presence exuded calm, radiant energy. In this form he easily blocked Jiren's attacks using Ultra Instinct; showing its full power in this form.
4. Whis' Guidance and Future Development
Whis' guidance has been essential in Goku's journey toward Ultra Instinct. Whis reminded him often that Ultra Instinct requires one to give up all conscious control of one's body in favor of acting solely based on instinct, an enormous challenge for someone like Goku who relies on strategy and reactive reasoning when engaging in combat situations.
After competing in the Tournament of Power, Goku and Whis continued training to hone Ultra Instinct further and discover ways he might activate it without life-threatening risks. Chiaotzu in Dragon Ball Super manga retellings of this storyline, he continued using Ultra Instinct against formidable foes like Moro and Granolah thereby strengthening his control of this state of being.
5. Why Ultra Instinct Is Unique for Goku
Goku's transformation through Ultra Instinct stands out as being distinctive because of his uncanny ability to adapt and overcome intense challenges in an exciting journey of mental discipline rather than brute strength, reflecting both Goku's progress as an all-round fighter as well as martial artist who never stops pushing himself beyond his boundaries.