Shingo Yabuki/Story

Past


After watching the televised 1996 tournament, Shingo became a huge fan of Kyo Kusanagi. When he realized that they studied at the same school, Shingo began to pester Kyo to teach him his techniques, as he was fascinated with Kyo's flame. However, Shingo doesn't know that the flame is actually an inherited gift of the Kusanagi bloodline. Kyo, wanting a gofer and taking pity on him, decided to "teach" Shingo in exchange for food. Shingo saw each of Kyo's moves once, wrote down every move, and practiced them every day.

The King of Fighters '97
Shingo participated in the tournament for the singles entry and passed. Although he excelled in his year of training, he apparently lost somewhere in the King of Fighters tournament. As a reward for his progress, Kyo gives him a pair of his gloves, and Shingo has worn them since then.

The King of Fighters '99
Shingo became one of the many people who were worried about Kyo's disappearance. Benimaru Nikaido asked Shingo to join him, K', and Maxima in that year's KOF. Their goal for this year and the next was to find Kyo's whereabouts. During the tournament finals, he learns about NESTS, a syndicate that is responsible for Kyo's disappearance. Thankfully, after NESTS executed their agent, Krizalid, for his failure, Shingo and his team are instead found by the real Kyo. Despite their relief to see Kyo alive and well, their reunion is cut short when Krizalid’s base begins to collapse. Shingo and Benimaru split up from both K', Maxima, and Kyo and manage to find the exits safely.

The King of Fighters 2000
Prior to the 2000 tournament, Benimaru and Shingo meet up with two individuals; an agent named Seth and an assassin named Lin. Shingo was nearly killed by Lin when he almost touched his band, but was saved at the last second by Benimaru. During the ending, he and many other fighters were caught in the Zero Cannon's second shot. He survived and was encountered face-to-face with Ron.

The King of Fighters 2001
In 2001, Team Japan was reunited, but they needed a fourth team member and Shingo was called. He was extremely excited to fight with on the same team as Kyo. After NESTS’ terror is over, Shingo wants to throw a party with his team, but disappointed that the way Team Japan celebrate is instead parting away to their normal lives rather than having a party. Saisyu Kusanagi, Kyo's father, who was observing the tournament, is touched by Shingo's courage, offering an apprenticeship to Shingo, which he accepts. During his training with Saisyu, Shingo learns the truth about the flame's origin.

The King of Fighters 2003
In 2003, Shingo teamed up with Benimaru and Goro Daimon. When they were eliminated, Benimaru and Daimon complimented him, but he got cocky and started yelling that he is no longer Kyo's fan, but rather is his rival. That's when Kyo appeared behind him and started beating him up.

The King of Fighters XI
When Ash Crimson stole Chizuru Kagura's Yata Mirror in the previous tournament, Shingo visits her in the hospital and promises to unite Kyo and Iori in order to investigate Ash and the weakened Orochi seal. In his team's ending, Iori suddenly enters into the Riot of the Blood. Shingo tries to stop him several times, but is beaten back with each attempt. Although saved in a sense by Ash, Shingo's wounds are pretty severe as he is covered in a cast and bandages, making him unable to participate in the next KOF tournament.

Unbeknownst to Shingo, he is being left with a fragment effect of Orochi's curse from a permanent scarred shoulder he received by an out of control Iori, resulting it to be easily sensed by most spiritual fighters.

The King of Fighters XIII
Despite his wounds, he cheerfully greets Benimaru when the latter returns to Japan, who gives him a "get-well-soon" present from Chizuru. While he doesn't remember much about how Ash got there to save him, Benimaru fills him on his side of the story during his visit. Shingo watches the tournament with Chizuru, wishing the team good luck and is seen cheering happily after they won.

After Ash erased himself and Saiki from history, all memories of him were erased from all who knew him, including Shingo.

The King of Fighters XIV
Although he successfully recovered and improved himself with his training, he could not join the Japanese team in the upcoming tournament. However, he still personally visited them as a way to support them.

The King of Fighters Gaiden: Origin of Flame, Shingo Time Slip!
Shingo trained diligently, with Saisyu and Chizuru watching closely. He continued his rigorous training until sundown, pushing himself to the point of exhaustion. When he awoke, he was astonished to find himself transported back in time. Here, he encountered the ancestors of Kyo and Iori, and learned the reasons behind their perpetual rivalry. He also discovered the insidious nature of the Hakkesshu, who had orchestrated a rift between the Kusanagi and the then-Yasakani clan in their attempt to revive Orochi.

Fate had led the Yasakani clan down a tainted path, but both clans shared concerns about the future, as Orochi's blood threatened to disrupt their harmony. Instead of harboring grudges against each other, Shingo's interference made both clans realize that the Hakkesshu were behind the discord sown between them. This revelation forever altered the dynamic between Iori Yagami and Kyo Kusanagi, transforming their murderous hostility into a harmonious rivalry.

Shingo meticulously documented these events in his notebook, and eventually, he returned to the present with a newfound understanding of the clans. His actions during the time travel inadvertently set off a butterfly effect.

The King of Fighters XV
Shingo returned from his time-traveling adventure, now dressed in a training uniform. Shortly after, he received an invitation to participate in the King of Fighters tournament as a solo contender. This invitation arrived shortly after the conclusion of the fifteenth tournament. While still in the company of Saisyu, Shingo couldn't help but fret about when Kyo would return. Despite Saisyu's advice not to meddle in the young Kusanagi's issues with Iori, Shingo remained concerned. Though Kyo eventually did return to Yuki, Iori's fate remained uncertain.

After the tournament concluded, Kyo reunited with Shingo and Saisyu. This time around, Kyo treated Shingo with more respect, though he still playfully teased him from time to time.