Can I get Auron's Masamune without beating the Dark Aeon?

Apparently, the path to the statue of Lord Mi'ihen is being guarded by some pretty nasty summoners.

I tried warping to Djose Highroad, but it puts me on the beach where the Crusaders battled Sin. I can't seem to find a way to the north side of Mushroom Rock, and the south side has some Aeons I'm not prepared to fight.

Is there any way to get to the statue without dealing with the Dark Aeons?

Solution 1:

Actually, you can get to the Mii'hen Highroad from the north side. Move left from where you start, and you'll eventually be able to climb the wreckage of the machina.

If you can't find it, you can still go from the south side; the aeons chasing you event is random. If you get the cutscene, run screaming back south to leave the area, and try again. What I did is give those people a wide berth, and that seemed to do it. Not sure if that helps you avoid the cutscene, but it worked for me.