Buhagen's Replacement...

[TheSpoonyBard]

The are no times in the game were a Chocobo is absolutely neccassary.

A chocobo is absolutely necessary to escape from the Desert Prison. You didn't specify it had to be one you owned or caught yourself.

I'm pretty sure a level 1 Yuffie has 10 HP (watch the beginning of this movie) http://youtube.com/watch?v=QJWPI5Ticwc

HP reductions from the summon materia? And how was she able to cast KotR with 10 MP? Unless you own the Japanese version and can confirm this for yourself, I'd be more inclined to believe Terence's Party Mechanics Guide (http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/file/final_fantasy_vii_party_mech.txt) which has data from the game's code pertaining to the initial stats of the characters.

(SPOILER)1. True.
2. Aerith: Push the right barrels in the Church.
Tifa: Give Tifa the flower.
Barret: Give Marlene the flower.
Yuffie: Answer her questions correctly after defeating her in battle.