You’re standing in the dust of Under Junon. The air feels heavy, metallic, and decidedly grey. Then you meet Colin. He’s a kid with a dream that feels almost impossible in this world—he wants to see a real bird, a Condor, soaring through a sky that isn't choked by Shinra’s massive plate. This is the heart of dreaming of blue skies ff7 rebirth, a side quest that feels like a simple distraction but actually highlights the massive tonal shift Square Enix pulled off in this middle chapter of the remake trilogy.
It’s an odd job. It’s a hunt. Honestly, it’s a bit of a trek.
Most players stumble into this in Chapter 4. You’ve just finished the high-octane parade or maybe you're just itching to get out into the Junon Region’s wider map. To get started, you need to check the Community Noticeboard in Under Junon. Or, if you’re like me and prefer wandering until you find someone looking stressed, just head to the Crow’s Nest. That's where you’ll find the quest giver, a woman named Chloe who’s worried about her friend's obsession with the legendary Condor.
Tracking the Condor: Where to Actually Go
Finding the bird isn't the hard part. It’s the Condor Hill. You’ll find it nestled in the eastern part of the Junon Region. The game marks it, but the terrain is a bit of a vertical maze. You’re going to be using those mountain chocobos—the ones that can scale sheer rock faces like they’re defying physics. If you haven't caught Belle yet, stop right now. You can't finish this quest without a chocobo that can climb.
Once you reach the peak, you don't find a majestic bird. You find a crime scene. Well, a monster scene.
The Condor is gone. Instead, you find a pile of monster remains and a very specific scent. This is where Red XIII becomes the MVP of the quest. You have to use his nose to track the thief. It’s a mechanic we see a lot in Rebirth, and while some find it tedious, it really grounds the party in the environment. You aren't just following a waypoint; you’re following a trail of "Condor Dinner" that was snatched away.
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Follow the scent trail. It winds down the mountain and into a secluded area where the real fight begins.
The Mystic Dragon Fight: Don't Get Cooked
The culprit is a Mystic Dragon. It’s a nasty piece of work if you go in underleveled or without a plan. This isn't a "hold Square to win" encounter. The dragon is fast, it flies (obviously), and it has a penchant for breathing fire that can wipe out your backline if you aren't careful.
Here is the trick: Wind. The Mystic Dragon is weak to Aero. If you’ve been neglecting your Green Materia, now is the time to slot it. Tifa is great here for building stagger once it’s pressured, but Cloud’s Fire and Ice Materia (linked with Elemental in a weapon) won't help you as much as a solid Aeroga build on Aerith.
When the dragon starts its "Galvanizing Flame" or similar high-damage moves, you need to pressure it immediately. Breaking its stance while it’s mid-air is the fastest way to end the fight. If you let it hover and rain down fireballs, you’re going to burn through your Potion stash faster than Yuffie runs through a snack bar.
The Great Meat Debate: Bovine, Monster, or Greens?
Once the dragon is toast (literally), you have a choice to make. This is the part of dreaming of blue skies ff7 rebirth that actually affects your relationship with Tifa. You find three types of "food" you can bring back to entice the Condor:
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- Monster Meat: Technically edible, but kind of gross.
- Bovine Meat: High quality, juicy, exactly what a giant bird of prey wants.
- Magical Greens: For the vegetarians? I guess?
If you want the "Best" result and the maximum affinity boost with Tifa, choose the Bovine Meat.
I’ve seen people try the Greens thinking it’s some kind of "nature-friendly" option. Don't do it. The Condor is a raptor. It wants steak. Picking the Bovine Meat ensures the Condor actually shows up for the photo op later, and it makes Cloud look like he actually knows a thing or two about wildlife. Tifa will be impressed, and you’ll get a better rank for the quest completion.
Why This Quest Matters for the Platinum Trophy
If you’re a completionist, you can’t skip this. Side quests in Rebirth aren't just about XP. They provide Manuscripts. For this specific quest, you're looking at "Way of the Fist Vol. II," which grants Tifa extra SP to spend on her skill tree. In the late-game Hard Mode, those extra stat boosts and abilities are the difference between winning a boss fight and staring at a Game Over screen for three hours.
Plus, completing this quest is a prerequisite for some of the end-game Johnny’s Seaside Inn collection items. You want that 7-star hotel? You’re going to have to feed a bird.
A Technical Note on Junon’s Verticality
A lot of players get frustrated with the Junon map. It’s built in layers. If your map says you’re right on top of the objective but you see nothing but grass, look up. Or down. The pathing to Condor Hill requires you to find the specific "climbable" walls marked with yellow paint.
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I spent twenty minutes circling a cliffside once because I missed a single yellow ledge tucked behind a tree. If you're stuck, look for the chocobo signs. Square Enix loves their visual cues, and usually, if there’s a quest objective on a mountain, there’s a chocobo-accessible ramp within 50 yards.
Actionable Steps for Success
To wrap this up and get back to the main story, follow this exact sequence:
- Check the Board: Pick up the quest in Under Junon as soon as it appears in Chapter 4.
- Gear Up: Equip your party with Wind Materia. Link it to MP Absorb or Magic Focus if you have the slots to spare.
- The Climb: Use a Mountain Chocobo (Gray/Blue) to reach the peak of Condor Hill.
- The Trail: Use Red XIII's Scent ability (hold L2) to follow the yellow scent clouds. Do not just run toward the nearest map icon; the trail takes a specific path.
- The Battle: Pressure the Mystic Dragon with Aero spells. Use Cloud’s "Disorder" to switch stances and keep the pressure up.
- The Choice: Select the Bovine Meat. It’s the only choice that yields the best reward and maximum character affinity.
- The Photo: Return to the hill, watch the cutscene, and enjoy the rare sight of a blue sky in a world dominated by Shinra’s industrial greed.
Finishing this quest doesn't just give you loot; it changes the vibe of the Junon region. It’s one of the few moments where Cloud and the gang stop worrying about Sephiroth for ten minutes and just help a kid see something beautiful. In a game as massive and heavy as Rebirth, these small victories are what make the journey feel human.
Once you’ve turned in the quest to Chloe, make sure to check your Folio. Those SP points are burning a hole in your pocket, and you’ll want Tifa’s upgraded divekicks for the boss fights coming up in the Corel region.