Shingo Yabuki/Story

Past
After he watched the televised 1996 tournament, Shingo became a huge fan of Kyo. 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 everyday.

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 many people who were worried about Kyo's disappearance. Benimaru 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 begin to collapse. Shingo and Benimaru splits up from both K' and Maxima, and Kyo and manage to find the exits safely.

The King of Fighters 2000
Shingo entered alongside Benimaru, Seth and Lin, but wasn't so lucky. During the ending, him 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 part away to their normal lives rather than having a party. Saisyu, 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, he is his rival. That's when Kyo appeared behind him and started beating him up.

The King of Fighters XI
After Ash steals Chizuru's Yata Mirror, Shingo visits her in the hospital and promises to unite Kyo and Iori Yagami 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.

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, he wishes the team good luck and is seen cheering happily after they won.

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.