[it's extremely cute that Fushiguro is mulling over the things Natori could do here, with his similarly inconsistently-defined complicated canon terms. what a good student. Natori should've tried to pick this one as his apprentice instead of Natsume "why are you talking to me, go over there" Takashi.]

Any ayakashi capable of processing speech. There are some exorcists who use underhanded tricks or threats to force spirits into contracts, but I'd prefer to only work with something that wants to work with me. [it's obvious from the tone of his voice how distasteful he finds this; besides, you're not going to get strong partnerships if one party is forced into it, and only the janky spirits would fall for it anyway.] There are also techniques that enable you to physically manifest your own innate spiritual energy for use as a shikigami, though my clan doesn't practice it much beyond the paper dolls.

[which, confusingly, are the ones that are referred to as shikigami in the traditional sense, while youkai pals under contract are just shiki, same kanji? and animating your energy is fine until it isn't, and then it's a forbidden technique? 0/10 clarity midorikawa please explain]