A/N: This story is not based on Existence. I came to know about the Manhawa and read it after more than half of the story was already written and with the rest already decided. The only parts I changed slightly after reading Existence are in chapters 99 & 108 and neither of them involve saving human.
———
Junsei stood motionless, still holding what remained of Sai.
For several seconds, he did not move.
The world around him felt distant, muffled beneath a pressure that settled in his chest. He felt loss, pain and sadness. It was similar to how he felt before Kikyo's lifeless body years ago, but this was way worse.
His breathing quickened. Each inhale grew sharper, more unstable. His heart pounded violently in his chest, as if trying to break free. The muscles in his face tightened, twisting into open rage.
Then it stopped.
The storm receded as suddenly as it had risen.
Momo would suffer the same fate. He needed one hundred hero heads.
Junsei lowered Sai's body on the ground before his gaze shifted around from Sai's body to Aizawa who was moving closer to him with Nezu still in his hands. From Aizawa to Hawks. Then to the other heroes who had begun to regroup, still shaken but readying themselves.
Nezu's voice cut through.
"Please don't do it!" His tone carried urgency that bordered on desperation. "You will only make things worse. You will not save Miss Yaoyorozu that way. You will only doom her by listening to him."
Junsei turned his head slightly. "He wants one hundred heads," he said calmly. "Once she is safe, I will kill him."
Nezu shook his head firmly. "That is All For One, the worst villain in Japan's history. He will not release her even if you kill a thousand heroes. He will keep her life dangling in front of you until you become his puppet." His voice hardened. "And he might kill her simply to watch how you react."
Junsei's jaw tightened and said "Stay out of this."
"If you truly want to save her," Nezu continued, stepping closer, "then do not listen to him. Trust me. She is my student. I will do everything in my power to save her. Obeying him is the worst possible choice."
Around them, Hawks and the other heroes began moving subtly, attempting to reposition and form a loose perimeter around Junsei.
"Stop," Nezu ordered them.
The heroes hesitated.
"We have a greater problem," Nezu continued. "AFO has returned, most of you don't know him, but he is the worst villain the world has ever seen. We must inform police headquarters and the Hero Public Safety Commission immediately. And we must prepare for tonight. His appearance now and the deadline is his way of announcing his return and appearing before the world."
Hawks frowned. "Even so, he is still a dangerous criminal. We need to…"
"I will take responsibility for this decision," Nezu interrupted. "I do not want our resources wasted in the wrong place."
His small hand clenched tightly.
"The greatest threat here is All For One. No one else."
Everyone hesitated, on one side there was the law and procedures they followed and on the other the Principal of UA and one of the smartest creatures in the world, if he views the matter of the white haired man in such urgency, it must hold a greater weight than they can imagine. They didn't want to act based on their own judgement in such a situation.
Junsei's eyes narrowed. "What if you are wrong?"
Nezu did not hesitate. "AFO represents the worst humanity has ever produced. I know what kind of person he is. I have no doubt he is lying to you." His gaze locked onto Junsei's. "Do you want to help him achieve what he wants?"
Junsei's fist tightened.
He did not know.
If Okina was right, then the correct course was ignoring the threat and wait. If he was wrong, then Momo would have the same fate as Sai.
Aizawa finally spoke. "Why now? Why reveal himself now?"
Nezu's eyes flickered briefly toward Junsei before returning forward.
"Because of Junsei's words," he answered quietly. "All Might is no longer a threat to him. And he has found a violent individual with a powerful Quirk and complete disregard of law, someone who can be used to terrorize the country."
Junsei froze.
Nezu continued "Your actions have consequences even if you don't know about them. Just like the actions of the humans you condemn."
Nezu watched him carefully. He hoped that this would force Junsei to see what he had refused to acknowledge. That he didn't hate humans unconditionally and that he could make mistakes and bring harm unintentionally.
Junsei finally moved again, picking up Sai's body. Junsei said finally "I will come here tonight"
Nezu added "He is probably hiding somewhere inside the city, if we can find his hideout then the odds of saving her would increase substantially"
Junsei turned around and took off leaving behind a powerful wind, and in seconds he was out of sight.
Hawks' eyes widened as he said "Is it me or does he move just like All Might!"
——————
Inside the office of the Yaoyorozu mansion. Junsei sat before a monitor. Dried blood stained his face and clothes.
He started the call. After a brief delay, Mr. Yaoyorozu's face appeared on the screen. The man's expression shifted immediately upon seeing him.
"Is that blood on your face?" he demanded. "What happened to you? And why the hell did you act like that in court?"
"The villain called AFO appeared at the courthouse entrance," Junsei said evenly. "He killed Mr. Sai and took Momo."
Mr. Yaoyorozu's features changed. The color drained slightly from his face.
"Are you speaking the truth?" he asked slowly.
"Yes," Junsei replied. "I buried Mr. Sai in the back garden. I thought you needed to know."
For a moment, silence filled the office.
Then anger surged across the older man's face.
"Where the hell were you?" he snapped. "How did you allow that to happen?"
Junsei did not defend himself.
"AFO said I must bring the heads of one hundred heroes," he stated. "Or Momo will pay the price. The principal said doing that will not save her."
Mr. Yaoyorozu froze.
"One hundred?" he repeated.
His voice had lost its volume "What are you going to do?"
Junsei's gaze lowered slightly. "I will save her no matter what."
Junsei went silent for two seconds then said "I hate humans. Good or bad should feel the same. So why am I sad and angry over Mr. Sai's death?"
Mr. Yaoyorozu stared at him.
"Are you asking seriously," he said, "or are you trying to provoke me?"
Junsei remained silent.
"Sai thought of you as a son," the man continued. "He treated you well. You had a good relationship with him." His jaw tightened. "You would be a monster if you felt nothing."
Junsei absorbed the words without visible reaction.
After a moment, he said, "I am leaving. I will not live here anymore."
Mr. Yaoyorozu pressed his lips together. "After what you said and did in court, there is no place for you here." His voice hardened. "But what about my daughter?"
Junsei replied. "I will save her."
The man said "Do your best and stop at nothing to make sure she is safe."
Junsei nodded. Then he asked, "Do you regret bringing me into your home?"
A faint pause followed.
"Sometimes I am grateful," Mr. Yaoyorozu answered. "Other times, I regret it. I cannot tell how things would have turned if I didn't."
Junsei ended the call.
His eyes began to glow, he needed to find Momo no matter where she was.
All around the city, every insect, bird and animal began to stir.
——————
At UA, all faculty members were present and along with them all the city's available top-ranked heroes. They had gathered within the main conference hall in UA. At the head of the room stood Principal Nezu.
Nezu addressed the room "AFO has returned."
Nezu spoke plainly, revealing the truth hidden from the public. AFO had ruled Japan's underworld from the shadows for decades, amassing power quietly, manipulating events without becoming the public enemy. Years ago, All Might had defeated him at great cost.
Nezu explained what kind of monster is All For One, a monster who stole quirks, a monster who thrived in chaos and fear.
Among those present top heroes were Endeavor, Hawks, Best Jeanist, Gang Orca, Mt. Lady, and Kamui Woods.
Nezu continued, I believe he chose this moment to make himself public because he believes All Might is incapable of defeating him again. At the same time, he sought to use one of our students to create further havoc."
The weight of that implication settled heavily.
"Him appearing publicly means he is already confident in his power," Nezu said. "A person like him will aim to destabilize society as it will only strengthen him further"
Endeavor's voice cut in. "What about that unstable boy? Where is he now?"
Hawks answered "We confirmed he returned to the Yaoyorozu residence. He buried the butler. Then he left. We currently do not know his location."
Endeavor's gaze sharpened. "You should have apprehended him."
"I told him not to," Nezu replied evenly.
Endeavor looked at the tiny principal.
"You must understand," Nezu continued, "Junsei is extraordinarily strong. His raw power may be second only to All Might in his prime. In a direct confrontation without preparation, most heroes in this room would likely lose, including you Endeavor. Not to mention the risk to civilians and police force."
Endeavor narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
"I will not allow our heroes to fight against him," Nezu said, voice firm. "Not when the true threat to this country is preparing to strike."
Endeavor folded his arms. "Then what is the plan?"
"We prepare for battle," Nezu answered. "We expect AFO to appear with the League of Villains. Possibly Nomu as well."
"We will have Junsei on our side," Nezu added. "He represents significant combat power regardless of his current legal state."
Best Jeanist asked "And if he turns against us? The girl is a leverage and the villain won't hesitate to use it."
"That is precisely why saving her must be prioritized," Nezu said. "At this moment, I have no doubt Junsei is scouting every inch in the city to find her location."
Kamui Wood spoke next "What about All Might? What is his real state?"
Nezu replied "Unfortunately bad, his injuries from the battle against AFOhad been weakening him for years, and during the Festival Sport his health and power deteriorated faster. He can only use his power for a small period a day and at the moment, he is preserving his strength for the confrontation tonight."
Nezu's sentence didn't encourage the heroes one bit, they are about to face a monster who nearly killed All Might in his prime, and while the current All Might strength has deteriorated, that villain's strength probably is the same or maybe stronger.
Nezu added "I have already requested for available heroes from other cities to come to aid us if possible and the police are already evacuating the area."