Pomegranate branch selection

The first juncture of branches has quite a few. I know with pomegranates each riot controls certain areas and if you remove a branch you could risk having it die back to the roots.
Do I have to choose only 2 branches at that junction and if I do which ones should I keep?

Another question, if I keep all branches, would an inverse taper be an issue or it might be ok with pomegranates to keep more than one branch at the first junction?

Which front do you prefer?

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I like the second pic for the front. It could probably use a bit of a tilt though. Can’t speak to branch selection without being with the tree, but I’d probably start by cutting that straight thick one first and then see what you can bend.