New Age

The New Age of Pirates, commonly referred to as the New Age, is an new era of pirates that is predicted to take place after the Whitebeard War. Many have different theories on just what the New Age will entail; while some like Donquixote Doflamingo believe it to be an era where only those powerful enough and believe only what they see before them will persevere, others like Shanks believe it to be an era in which Pirates roam free.

Origin
As the Golden Age of Pirates was 22 years old, over the years, the number of pirates who believed in dreams was declining and the number of those who didn't was increasing. This makes the story take place in the late Golden Age of Pirates. The New Age was hinted in the Jaya arc, in Mock Town; a town full of pirates who don't dream, the most notable of them were the Bellamy Pirates who taunted the Straw Hat Pirates for being dreamers.

One of the major events that that helped create the groundwork for the New Age was the Banaro Incident when Portgas D. Ace was defeated by Marshall D. Teach and was turned in to the Marines, triggering a war.

Whitebeard War
The Whitebeard War marks the end of the Golden Age of Pirates. According to the caption, regardless of if the Marines or Whitebeard wins or lose, the age will still end.

It could be said that it was Ace's death, rather than Whitebeard's, that would truly mark the end of the old Pirate Age, as he symbolized the last remaining bloodline of Gol D. Roger - who, himself, began the original Great Age of Pirates. As Roger sacrificed himself to be publicly executed to bet on the future of pirates instead of quietly waiting to die of his illness, so did Ace sacrifice himself to bet on Luffy's dream to conquer the Grand Line. After Marshall D. Teach and his crew killed Whitebeard and absorbed his powers, Blackbeard declared that the new age was now his.

New Age
It is currently unknown what kind of effect the age will be, however it's been hinted that there will be more conflict, even worse than before.