Three locks...
The first layer was the outermost Sealing Jutsu Formula. The second was the combination lock installed on the box. The third was the technique covering the entire box—a formula-based technique as well, but different from Curse Mark Jutsu and Sealing Jutsu.
There had to be something extremely important inside.
After studying the two boxes from top to bottom several times, Chiba frowned slightly, his expression growing grave.
No wonder Hyuga Yukyō had neglected food and sleep over these two boxes for so many days. First of all, the three layers of protection were exceedingly tight. One glance was enough to tell that whatever was inside was extremely important. Moreover, they were Hyuga Shinsuke's preparations in case his betrayal failed. Their importance to Hyuga Yukyō went without saying.
No wonder he had been unwise enough to neglect food and sleep. Chiba understood Hyuga Yukyō well enough in that regard.
To Hyuga Yukyō, there were no more than three important people: Hyuga Shinsuke, Yukina, and Hirohiko. The first had been his benefactor and mentor, practically a father figure, and had spared him from receiving the Caged Bird Seal. That alone was an enormous kindness, not to mention the years of care and instruction. Chiba believed that Hyuga Yukyō's feelings for Hyuga Shinsuke were incomparable, perhaps even beyond Chiba's imagination.
As for Yukina, there was even less need to say it. The two had grown up together. From the way they interacted, Chiba could only say that though they were not blood siblings, they were closer than most. No matter how much Chiba disliked the man, or how deeply he still minded the fact that Hyuga Yukyō had once tried to kill him, he could not deny the sincere familial bond between them.
Yukina also respected Hyuga Yukyō deeply and truly