The Entrance Exam:
In regards to the fourteen divisions in the Gotei 14, the First is by far considered to be the most respected and strongest out of the Gotei 14. A mere fifty members comprise the entire First Division, as entrance into the First Division is an extremely brutal process that is overseen by Commander Hiroshi herself. In order to be a member of the First Division, a strict set of criteria must be met before even being considered for the division. First and foremost, Commander Hiroshi demands those who show promise in the shinigami arts and the ability to be versatile in the shinigami arts. Members of the First Division are required to have the same skill level in all shinigami arts, as balance is key for her.
Equal skill level of Hohō, Zanjutsu, Kidō and Hakuda are a must in the division, as Shu requires her division members to show the ability to switch up their style of fighting at a moment’s notice. Those who meet this first set of requirements are placed under a week long entrance exam, in which they are tested in their skill to survive under harsh conditions. Thrown deep in the forest of the Rukongai, days away from the nearest village of the Rukongai, the applicants are thrown into the forest with nothing but a standard issue hunting knife, a sleeping bag, and a small daypack to carry basic supplies. Their zanpakuto’s are confiscated from their prior to the exam, as this exams largely tests out the ability to last without having to rely on the assistance of one’s zanpakuto.
Left out in the wilderness to fend for their own, they are kept under sharp observation from afar with the assistance of the Second, Fourth and twelfth divisions, as they are given a total of two weeks to survive in the wilderness, and if severe risk of death is underway, the Second and Fourth Divisions are required to step in and end the exam for those who’d require dire medical assistance. On average, only 27% of initial applicants have the actual skill required to survive on their own out in the wilderness. Those who do make the first cut must then undergo a second exam. This one however they are given a week to prepare for, as they must muster their skills to begin for a preliminary match among those who’ve managed to survive the first exam. On average, 12 potential shinigami are able to pass the first test, and as a result, only six are able to pass on to the final stage of the entrance exams.
The second stage of the entrance exam pits these shinigami against each other in a one on one duel, where election for the two combatants is chosen at random, as a total of six matches occur. Lasting no longer than ten minutes, a victor must be determined within ten minutes, as any ties result in disqualification for both parties. On average, a total of less than six individuals are able to make the final cut for the final exam. At this point, those taking the exam are mentally exhausted to even go on with the final exam. Though those who have the little mental strength left to undergo the final exam undergo a three hour written exam, as they are given one simple question. Why would they be a suitable fit for the First Division. A question that stumps many to this day, as no one really knows what’s the exact answer Commander Hiroshi wants from those to make it that far, but it’s one that if you are deemed to have answered correctly, something that yields incredible rewards.
