One day, Takuma disappeared, and soon after that, Yuri vanished as well. Ryo and Robert felt something bad was behind all this, so they accepted to go out and search for her in the hostile and crime-filled Southtown. Robert and Ryo divided themselves to search clues for where she could be. Robert was determined to find her, since he knew he was very much in love with her, but he wasn't able to tell both Ryo and Takuma, fearful that they would be very angry at his idea. Still, Robert faced most of the criminals in Southtown in order to find Yuri, and all clues pointed towards Mr. Big, one of the more powerful gang leaders of Southtown. Robert managed to defeat the bluffing Mr. Big, and demanded where Yuri was. Mr. Big laughed and called for Mr. Karate. This warrior used a "tengu" (bird) mask, but his fighting spirit was very powerful. He also seemed to use Kyokugenryo Karate as well! Ryo was the one to fight him, and once defeated, Ryo decided to finish him off, as he thought he was the mastermind behind all this. But then, Yuri barged in, and tells Ryo not to harm him, as Mr. Karate was really Takuma! Robert and Ryo were surprised by this, and decided to go after the man who had fooled them, Geese Howard. However, he was already in trouble for facing the Bogard brothers, whom were ready to exact revenge for the death of their father at Geese's hands. So, the Sakazaki family and Robert decided to go back to the dojo.

Robert, always benefited by the money of his father, always wore fancy clothes and drived in luxurious cars. He also likes to impress Yuri with his presents, but Ryo and Takuma always keep a handy eye on him. By 1994, Robert was invited by Takuma to represent the Kyokugenryo Karate in the new King of Fighters tournament, which now introduced the team battle mode. Robert was a bit confused that Yuri would not enter with them, but he accepted anyway. After two tournaments, the Kyokugenryo Team has shown the power of their style, and Robert has done a pretty well role in honoring the Kyokugenryo Karate. However, Robert and Ryo have to run away after each tournament to avoid Takuma's orders to train again! Robert had a little pause in the action to help a childhood friend save her brother, Wyler, who had gone berserk using a demonic power. After a short trip to Southtown, Robert returned to the dojo, to be known that Takuma would retire his position as leader of the Kyokugenryo Team and deliver his place to his daughter Yuri. Robert was glad that Yuri would fight with him, but Ryo will keep an eye on him!

Since that moment, Robert has represented Kyokugenryo Karate the best way possible. He gets very excited when Yuri fights, and more when she wins. Problem is, Ryo is always behind him and does not let him do anything smart. After the tournament of 1996, Robert arrived one day to the Kyokugenryo dojo. He saw it to be destroyed and many students to be wounded. He then consulted with Ryo and Yuri. Ryo tells them that Takuma has told him to tell both of them to fight in the next tournament and clean the honor of the Kyokugenryo Karate. Robert and Yuri accept, and now, Robert is more willing than ever to fight and show that the Kyokugenryo Karate is the best martial art in the world!

Robert decides to focus more on trying to sweep Yuri off her feet during the two year break after the Orochi battle, but is abruptly brought back to training by his master, Takuma, and friend, Ryo, in punishment for his insolence! Robert gets more serious in his training, however, when he realizes the next King of Fighters tournament coming up, and this time around, he will have both Takuma AND Yuri in his team, so he's got a lot to prove. Despite being the only foreigner among the team, he feels as if he was in his own family. He just can't lie back and do nothing while the others trust in him!

Once the tournament ends, Robert takes some time off in order to rearrange his thoughts. The whole NESTS business has been quite wild, so Robert decides to take a well-deserved vacation. Upon his return, however, Robert dedicates himself entirely to training in order to fight the NESTS menace for the next King of Fighters tournament. However, Robert realizes with shock that Yuri will once again leave the Kyokugenryo dojo in order to reunite with her old friend, Mai Shiranui. And to add more to his suffering, Ryo tries to get King into the team, which triggers Robert's anger, refusing to lose his beloved to some tomboy! Robert challenges King to a fight, to see if she deserves to fight in name of the Kyokugenryo. King accepts, and as Robert expected, it was a tough fight. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pin King down. Robert's energy finaly starts to falter, and in the agony of the battle, he gives it to King that she has proved herself worthy. Now, Robert would have to live without Yuri this year. Now her place has been taken by King, and the time for Robert to really prove himself to Yuri, now that she has became her rival, and show her how worthy he really is!

The year after Southtown was destroyed, the Garcia foundation passed through a lot of trouble. A world financial crisis, in fear of the awakening of NESTS or their possible reaction against economic superpowers who might challenge them, deteriorated and finally made the business of the Garcia family go bankrupt. Devastated and penniless, Robert turns to his old friends, the Sakazaki family, for guidance. The Sakazaki clan can not bear the sight of a morally destroyed Robert, deprived of all hope. So, they resolve to help Robert out by winning the next King of Fighters tournament, win the prize money, and even get rid of NESTS in the process! Robert thanks them all for their support, and promises that he will do his best as well to lift his company from the ashes.

Out of sheer desperation and in terrible need of honoring his family name, Robert fought in the King of Fighters tournament like never before, improving his skills to the upmost. Finally, the end of the King of Fighters tournament was signed by the destruction of the HQ of NESTS in outer space, and the Kyokugenryo Team was left to cash the money. The Sakazaki family is relieved that they will finally make Robert rich again, so he can fulfill their financial needs! Robert is enfuriated, and chases the Sakazaki clan away. But deep inside he knows that they are just like his family, and his debt can be hardly paid with his life.

Robert thinks he has put the style and finesse in the Kyokugenryo Karate, and is always bragging about himself. He has been interested in Yuri ever since he first met her, even though he has the money and power to get other girls. He respects both Takuma and his best friend, Ryo, but is really bothered when both of them interfere in his intentions to propose to Yuri. He also avoids Yuri's wrath whenever he helps his childhood friend.