The Impact of Don Corneo's Absence on Yuffie's Mission

Imagine a scenario where Don Corneo and his gang failed to show up in Wutai when Yuffie did. The dynamics and challenges Yuffie faced in retrieving materia would have drastically changed. This alteration would have ripple effects on the subsequent events, influencing not only Yuffie's original plans but also the broader storyline of Final Fantasy VII.

Yuffie's Stealth and Strategy

Yuffie's mission to steal materia from various characters would have required a different approach if she couldn't rely on the distraction provided by Don Corneo and his gang. Without their presence, she would have needed to employ more covert methods to ensure she could successfully gather the materials she needed.

As Yuffie had to rely on unsuspected circumstances to succeed, she would have had to be even more cautious and sneaky in her tactics. The characters she needed to steal from would be more aware of her intentions, given her young age and repetitive attempts to restore Wutai. This scenario would have significantly increased the complexity of her mission and required her to adapt her strategy to avoid detection.

Shin-Ra's Guarded Reactions

The guards of Shin-Ra would have remained on high alert due to the search for Don Corneo. However, since Yuffie was not engaging in open combat or causing significant disruptions, they might become suspicious and question her motives. Her attempts to steal materia would likely have been met with derision and dismissal, making it harder for her to achieve her goal.

Chase and Recovery

Even if Yuffie managed to steal the materia, Cloud and the rest of the Highwind crew would still need to chase her through the Wutai backstreets using her intimate knowledge of the area. The lack of Don Corneo and his gang's diversion would make it easier for her to evade their pursuit. With more time to establish herself and make her escape, the retrieval and recovery process would have been lengthier and more challenging for the group.

Moreover, without the immediate threat posed by Don Corneo, the Turks would not have been as involved in the recovery mission. Elena would not have been taken by Corneo, which would have left Shin-Ra and the Turks with fewer distractions. Rude, Reno, and Elena's absence from the Western Continent would also mean that no external interference would have disrupted the retrieval process.

Temple of the Ancients and Time Constraints

The absence of Don Corneo and his gang would likely accelerate the timeline for the retrieval of the Keystone. The Shadow Committee, under Tseng's leadership, might have discovered or located the Keystone more quickly than Cloud and his party. This would have reduced the need for Cait Sith to act as a ruse for the retrieval, as the group would have had the information to proceed on their own.

With the Keystone secured, the group would face fewer obstacles in accessing the Temple of the Ancients and collecting the Black Materia without causing as much havoc. However, the new timeline might still serve as a delay, potentially allowing for a more strategic approach to the retrieval and eventual confrontation with Sephiroth. The speculative scenario adds an interesting layer to the original storyline, exploring the impact of altering a single event.

Conclusion

The contingency scenario of Don Corneo and his gang not appearing in Wutai would have significantly altered the landscape of Final Fantasy VII. Yuffie's mission to gather materia would have been more challenging and complex, and the overall story timeline might have shifted. However, the ultimate goal of restoring Wutai would still require strategic planning and execution, highlighting the intricate interplay of various characters and events in the game.