Shortly after the bombing of Mako Reactor 5, Yuffie Kisaragi — a ninja working for Wutai — arrives in Midgar and links up with her partner, Sonon Kusakabe, to steal Shinra's "Ultimate Materia." With the aid of a local Avalanche cell, the two infiltrate the lab beneath Shinra headquarters and fight through Shinra's forces, only to discover that the Ultimate Materia is not yet complete. As they try to escape, they're confronted by a Shinra supersoldier named Nero, and, badly outmatched, Sonon sacrifices himself so Yuffie can get away. She flees the building just in time to witness the Sector 7 plate fall. Some time later, having left Midgar behind, Yuffie reflects that bringing about Shinra's downfall will require a team to help her.