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Kakashi's niknen.
Ninken (忍犬, English TV: Ninja Hounds, Literally meaning: Ninja Dogs) are essentially dogs that have heightened senses and abilities and as such are able to work with ninjas. Although the dogs belonging to the members of the Inuzuka clan are ninken, the phrase can also be used in reference to the pack of ninken summoned by specific shinobi. Ninken have shown the ability to use human language, perform/teach/pass on jutsu, travel long distances, and possess extremely investigative senses as well. They are supposed to be quite dangerous in combat, being used to take down dangerous criminals. Summoners of ninken possess their own pack, prohibiting two contractors from accessing the same ninken.
Known Ninken[]
Known Summoners[]
One of the most known summoners, his innate affinity for dogs earned him his title as the Dog of Shēngxiào (犬の盛小,Inu no Shēngxiào). A legendary warrior who, alongside other immensely powerful shinobi, defended his home. Alongside his brother, Konmei, Dan mastered ancient Inuzuka techniques. He is one of few Inuzuka who possesses the ability to summon and tame inugami. Including their own. He also has a unique skill of transforming his own spirit into an Inugami.
Daughter of Dan, she has been surrounded by dogs since she was born. Having a spiritual affinity to dogs of all types, especially wild, she has earned her place beside her father as one of the most well-known ninken summoners. With her partners, she has grown to master the Inuzuka clan techniques, as well as put her own twist on them.
Son of the legendary Sakumo Hatake, uses a pack of dogs that are unique in their ability to use human language, walk on water, develop combat strategies, and track down targets through their enhanced smell. They are supposed to be quite dangerous in combat, as Kakashi notes in the anime that they can tear their opponents apart on his command. He can summon them separately, as he commonly does so with Pakkun, or all together. He can also summon them for special purposes as he does with his Summoning: Earth Release: Tracking Fang Technique. With this technique, the dogs can travel through the ground following the scent of their target, emerging when the target is found and holding them in place. They all have a face-shaped design on their backs called Henohenomoheji (へのへのもへじ) — which is the sound made when all the characters in the face are put together. Appropriately enough, children use this design as the face for their scarecrows, which is "kakashi" in Japanese.