Uraume opened her eyes, looking left and right.
Her original location was the Tokyo No. 1 Colony. The Grade 1 Curse User fighting Yuji Itadori had been recruited by her to collect Sukuna's fingers. After Ryomen Sukuna entered the Dream Migration, she contacted him immediately.
Then, she learned of Ryomen Sukuna's plan: —To seize [Yuta Okkotsu's] body.
Uraume naturally accepted this task. She spent 2,000 points and arrived inside the barrier where Yuta Okkotsu was located. This was:
Sendai.
*BOOM.*
A massive sound pierced Uraume's ears. She raised a hand to gently touch her ear and chuckled, "It really is lively here."
Indeed, it was lively.
Uraume looked toward the source of the explosion. High-rise buildings within the once-quiet Sendai Colony had long since collapsed. Ruins were everywhere. Various explosions occurred incessantly. Massive Cursed Spirits flew through the sky, but in the next instant, they let out sharp shrieks and fell, disintegrating into Cursed Energy residuals before they even hit the ground.
The sound of massive cannon fire rang out continuously. It felt like entering a war zone, but the cannon fire wasn't from actual artillery shells landing; it was a technique released by a sorcerer. It must have been a high-output bombardment technique—pure Cursed Energy gathered and roared out, the sound deafening.
The sky suddenly curled up. A nearly naked woman was laughing in the air. She waved her arm casually, and the entire sky seemed to move with her, as easily as rolling up a scroll. Even with Uraume's discerning eye, this woman was a genuine powerhouse, an undoubted [Special Grade Sorcerer].
The sorcerer manipulating Cursed Spirits; the sorcerer firing cannons; the sorcerer turning the sky into a painting.
These three were fighting each other without any restraint. The entire Sendai Colony had become their battleground. Countless sorcerers were attracted by this grand battle, gathering around the positions of these three, and upon running into each other, they launched attacks without hesitation.
While other colonies were still in the probing phase, Sendai Colony had already been fully subsumed into this massive frenzy. Uraume felt a stirring fighting spirit in her heart, but she controlled it well. She clearly remembered her purpose. Yuta Okkotsu was her target. Before finding him, she shouldn't make too many moves.
Accompanied by the roaring sounds, she leaned against a wall and summoned her Kogane. "Kogane, where is Yuta Okkotsu's current location?" she asked.
The Kogane appeared beside Uraume. "Beep beep. Apologies, Master. I can only confirm he is inside this colony. Because the target has placed an Information Lock, his specific location cannot be known unless the target unlocks the information."
Uraume clicked her tongue.
Sorcerers had all kinds of Innate Techniques, and there was no shortage of techniques that required hiding oneself to maximize their effect. The function of the Information Lock was exactly for this. Although it couldn't cover all intelligence perfectly, purchasing an Information Lock could at least protect one's specific location, preventing Innate Techniques like [Invisibility], [Stealth], or [Sneak Attack] from becoming useless.
Of course, there were also people like Hiromi Higuruma who not only didn't buy an Information Lock but used public announcements to display their location openly. That was because sorcerers like Higuruma wanted a head-on fight. The more direct the combat, the greater their advantage, so they naturally didn't worry about being found.
Uraume thought about Yuta Okkotsu's information. [Copy]. This was also a technique extremely strong in head-on combat. Uraume had assumed Yuta Okkotsu wouldn't buy an Information Lock, especially in this Dream Migration where resurrection was easy. Even if he was accidentally killed by a sneak attack, he could seek revenge after reviving. Theoretically, Yuta shouldn't have bought an Information Lock.
"It only proves that this guy is overly cautious," Uraume pondered. "Or perhaps, despite possessing excellent frontal combat abilities, he has been taught so many lessons that he has begun to doubt his own power."
She had heard from Kenjaku that to better counter Mahito, Yuta Okkotsu had undergone special training with Satoru Gojo and Tengen. That training probably molded Yuta into this personality.
Uraume thought: *Good.*
Sorcerers were extremely ego-driven people. Every sorcerer was like this. When a sorcerer's self-confidence took a severe hit, no matter how powerful their technique, their strength would inevitably be seriously impacted. Uraume was happy to see this.
Because this meant that in the future, Ryomen Sukuna could seize Yuta Okkotsu's body more easily.
"Although I know it's futile," Uraume sighed, but still said to the Kogane, "I want to send a private message to [Yuta Okkotsu]. Tell him: The ancient sorcerer Uraume is looking for him."
The Kogane made whirring beeps. "This requires a deduction of 20 points. Does Master agree?"
"Agreed."
"Beep beep beep, message sent," the Kogane said.
The reason for sending this message was simple. She was certain the other party knew the significance of the name [Uraume].
In her past life, she had followed Ryomen Sukuna her entire life. Now that Sukuna had fully revived, she didn't believe the people of the jujutsu world wouldn't be interested in Sukuna's secrets. Judging from the intel, Yuta Okkotsu was a sorcerer possessing a spirit of [Self-Sacrifice]. Therefore, Uraume judged that Yuta would disregard the danger and come to contact her to obtain Sukuna's secrets.
Of course, in this Dream Migration where there was no risk of true death, even if there was danger, it didn't matter—if Yuta thought that way, Uraume would be very happy.
Because her ability happened to counter [Immortality] quite well.
"Now, I just have to wait—"
"Beep beep beep. Incoming message. Incoming message."
"...So fast." Even Uraume was a bit surprised. Although she didn't want to admit it, Uraume knew very well why Sukuna needed Yuta's body: Sukuna had determined that relying on his own ability alone was impossible to kill the Lord of Cursed Spirits. For this, he needed Yuta's body, needed to combine Yuta's technique with his own to kill the King of Curses and avenge his humiliation.
In other words: In this era, the most urgent problem to solve wasn't the resurrected Ryomen Sukuna, but the host of this Dream Migration, the King of Curses, Mahito.
Why did Yuta reply so impatiently after receiving the message?
Uraume felt a slight unease in her heart but still calmly said to the Kogane, "Open it."
"This is Yuta Okkotsu." The Kogane's voice suddenly changed. The tone was young, a boy's voice. "Where are you? I'll come find you."
Uraume smiled. "Truly confident, Yuta Okkotsu."
She had somewhat figured out the meaning behind Yuta sending this message. Just as she expected, perhaps it was precisely because Yuta prided himself on being a modern Special Grade Sorcerer with the Copy technique—strong in both frontal combat and breaking out of desperate situations—that he simply didn't care if Uraume's invitation was a trap. He came with great confidence.
Additionally, maybe Yuta even harbored thoughts of taking Uraume down. Regarding that—Uraume felt the same.
"I like confident children," Uraume smiled and said to the Kogane. "Open my Information Lock specifically for Yuta Okkotsu. Report my location to him."
"Beep whirr. Requires 20 points. Does Master agree to the deduction?"
"Agreed."
Uraume turned and walked toward the nearby shopping mall. She wanted to find a place to welcome Yuta's arrival. In her view, even if she had publicized her location, it would surely take Yuta some time to arrive. She had the self-awareness of a follower of Ryomen Sukuna: Surely, even if prepared to step into a trap, one would hesitate for a while.
Thinking this, she looked up at the mall, and then she froze.
"...You're kidding, right?" she whispered to herself.
Right before her eyes, a young man appeared at the entrance of the mall. This young man had short black hair and a face as tender as a middle school student. He wore a loose white jacket with cinched cuffs, but the baggy sleeves still couldn't hide his slender frame. He wore black pants and white sneakers, carrying a long, rod-like bag on his back.
Yuta Okkotsu appeared before Uraume abruptly, as if it wasn't Uraume actively looking for him, but him finding her.
What was more terrifying was that even though Yuta was right in front of her, Uraume hadn't sensed when he arrived at all until she confirmed his presence with her own eyes. She couldn't even judge if Yuta had been there from the start.
Uraume recalled Kenjaku's evaluation of Yuta, which mocked him: although Yuta possessed immense Cursed Energy, his Cursed Energy manipulation was lacking, causing his residuals to accompany him like a storm, as conspicuous as a candle in the dark night.
But looking at it now, this guy's Cursed Energy manipulation was proficient enough to hide himself to the limit. Even Uraume couldn't detect him.
"Yuta Okkotsu?" Uraume asked.
"It's me." Yuta's expression was serious as he looked at Uraume. "You are Sukuna's personal chef, Uraume?"
"It seems the world has not forgotten me," Uraume said faintly.
"Sukuna has resurrected." Yuta took a deep breath. "He was thrown into the Dream Migration by the King of Curses. I thought you would rush to his side impatiently, but you didn't. You actively came to the Sendai Colony to find me. Why?"
Uraume suddenly felt a palpitation. While taking a deep breath, Yuta took the bag from his back into his hands. He slowly opened the bag, revealing a katana in its sheath. He slowly drew the long sword. As the blade was drawn, the pressure on his body grew heavier and heavier. Cursed Energy, tangible as substance, spread outward from inside his body.
Intel on Yuta Okkotsu flashed through Uraume's mind: The holder of the strongest power in the modern jujutsu world. His naturally leaking Cursed Energy residuals alone were enough to induce fear in people.
Uraume slowly extended two fingers. "Yuta Okkotsu, I give you two choices."
"I'm listening." Yuta discarded the scabbard. It hit the ground with a crisp sound. He lowered the katana naturally. Cursed Energy reinforcement slowly covered the blade, making the edge appear as if it were burning with blue flame.
"One: Use your only colony transfer right now. Spend 2,000 points to move from here to the Tokyo No. 1 Colony. This way, we don't have to fight. You just need to wait for Lord Sukuna's arrival," Uraume said.
"And the second?" Yuta was noncommittal.
"Be frozen into a block of ice by me, and I will personally throw you into the Tokyo No. 1 Colony." Uraume folded one finger.
"Even if I don't agree, you have the ability to throw me into Tokyo No. 1?"
"It requires more points," Uraume said lightly. "The conditions are also harsher, but I have the ability to make it happen."
"Is that so," Yuta thought for a moment. "It must be through some kind of Binding Vow, right? Although the Dream Migration claims to grant all wishes, aside from [Finite Infinity], the cost of any wish involving forcing another person's will rises drastically. If it were forcing an ordinary person, it might be acceptable compared to Special Grade Sorcerers like us. But if the condition is restricted to a sorcerer, the points skyrocket. If it's forcing someone of the same level as us Special Grades, it would probably involve [Finite Infinity]."
"It's not that complicated," Uraume said. "The points are mainly used to find you. As for the harsh conditions, that refers to—"
Cold air began to radiate from her body. Her hands slowly came together, forming a seal.
"—Just killing, killing, and killing. Killing your will until it's numb, freezing your body into ice, torturing you until your sanity collapses. Then, you will cry and accept my conditions while thinking of me. That is all."
"...Then those conditions really are quite harsh." Yuta sighed.
"So, your choice is?" Uraume asked.
Yuta looked deeply at the ancient sorcerer before him. She had a delicate face, white hair cut in a disciplined bob. The eyes under her straight bangs were not the gentle cuteness of a girl next door, but the ruthlessness of a glacier. She wore black and white monk robes, white socks, and straw sandals.
Judging by appearance alone, it was hard to believe she was the legendary personal chef of Ryomen Sukuna. But anyone who checked her data would understand what crimes against humanity the monk before him had committed. To her, whether women or infants, they were all ingredients to be cooked and offered to Ryomen Sukuna without hesitation. A true villain.
There was no need to hesitate. Yuta Okkotsu gave his answer.
"I choose the third option," he said.
"I thought so." Uraume sighed, then suddenly smiled. "This... is good, actually. I was holding back a massive amount of rage during our conversation just now. For Lord Sukuna's plan, I decided to endure it. But now, finally, I don't have to endure anymore."
Monstrous cold air erupted violently. Uraume roared:
"Who gave you permission to address Lord Sukuna without an honorific!"
—Technique Release: Ice Formation!
Yuta Okkotsu took a step forward, speaking with a fearless voice:
"Tokyo Jujutsu High, Second Year."
"Special Grade Sorcerer, Yuta Okkotsu."
"—Let's do this!"