Summon

Before an animal summoning can be performed, a prospective summoner must first sign a contract with a given species. The contract can come in the form of a scroll or a tattoo, which is signed in the contractors own blood. After this, they need only perform the hand seals, offer an additional donation of blood, and use the same hand they signed the contract with to summon the creature. They may also wear a forehead protector, suggesting a loyalty to only one village. However, it is unknown how one can summon a tailed beast, as it is not known whether or not they have contracts to sign.

The summons, if animals, are not required to help the user, and may be more of a hindrance than an ally since they tend to have their own personalities and independence. When cooperative, they can help in battle or scouting. The summons can also help with Jikūkan Ninjutsu. If the Summons is large enough, a summoner can get into their mouth and release the summons so that they disappear with the animal. The, if capable on ninjutsu, the summons are able to summon their summoner.

When an animal is summoned it is transported from its place of residence to the summoner's location. Once summoned, the animal can perform a task or help the user in battle. The animals can also be used as sensors either by using their own "normal" senses or by sensing chakra.

Summonings is not restricted to creatures, as Orochimaru shows by summoning corpses and defenses. Items can also be "summoned" from scrolls and also through a yet unnamed means which does not involve seals or blood. Some items are not summoned from anywhere, instead only being released from storage, no blood is needed and thus it is not a conventional summoning.