this thread is aimed at all one piece fans but the manga buffs will have more info to post…
Ending the pirate age so to speak would require three things in my opinion.
First: Defeating Shanks and his crew. If the world gov. and the marines fear him so much then they will have to get rid of him considering that he probably has the most knowledge besides whitebeard on the one piece. not to mention, he apperently has a big bounty but i cant find where it was posted in the manga anywhere.
Second: White beard must be defeated along with his crew. IF this is possible, then it might have already been done. Yet the WG (world gov.) might get their hands on Pulton and kick his ass so to speak. the shichibukai are also in the equation of kicking some ass out of whitebeards crew. the only problem is, could whitebeard actually fight if needed to. the only picture we saw of him was when he was hooked up to a bunch of medical machines with a score of hot women around him in skimpy nurse outfits.
Third: One Piece must be found by the marines or the WG. Dont know how they will do it, but im guessing Robin and the D. name are key to the equation.
with these three things accomplished, pirates will no longer have a reason to be out at sea. they will notice that the most powerful pirates in the world are defeated and that the best treasure out there has been found.
food for thought