A New Era

A beautiful girl sits in the scene.
But, is her true self actually seen?
Her skin deeply tanned, her eyes glowing bright.
Undisguised, she would be quite a sight.
The girl's captain approaches, takes her hand.
But to him, she's a lad.
Her life a mere footprint in the sand.
This confusion is, of course, mostly her blunder.
If he were to find out, how his voice would thunder.
Yet, Shanks understands what he cannot comprehend.
And has promised to be a faithful friend.
Jamie looks on him with admiration.
Her only role model in this whole occupation.
If she could be a fraction as good as him.
Maybe the girl could achieve this foolish whim.
He inspires her, gives her dreams flight.
Watches them flicker before her eyes every night.
The crew chuckles at Jamie's mental self test.
Her way of knowing,
Can she endure the pressure, can she beat the rest?
To Shanks, she no doubt has the skill, and the mind required.
Needed to find greatness triple that of which she desires.
To attain glory upon the high seas.
To be more than they accept, more than they see...

The two great friends parted ways with regret.
Four years passed since last they met.
Business summoned one; destiny, the other.
That girl had a flame no one could smother.
Shanks heard of her fame within the first year.
And from his eye he wiped a tear.

"Why do you weep?" asked his first mate.
"She's made a name for herself, the lass is top rate."
He shakes his head, "It just touches me in a special way."
"To know that I've helped her, to know she's okay."
Ben smiles at his captain, "That makes three pirate brats, one to be king."
"Yes, though Pirate King Monkey D. Luffy has the best ring."
He can't help but laugh at this observation.
Ben knows each one of those kids could unite a nation.
The red head then stared across the blue sea.
"Bennie...do you think they'll still remember me?"

When their strengths are combined, absolutely no vicinity.
Is capable of withstanding this allied trinity.
Their men stand behind them, support every move made.
No unjustified violence, not one single raid.
Ace, Jamie, and Luffy have no need for such disturbances.
They prefer to take more subtle advances.
Now, sometimes subtle means a rain of hell fire.
There's really no telling when these three conspire.
They plot and they plan and they argue and fight.
But the bark from these dogs is nothing compared to their bite.
One goal to achieve, and nothing else is put first.
To take what they can, make the law do their worst.
Who the marines will consider the most hated,
Will in reality be the most celebrated!
Representing freedom, something normal citizens lack.
And showing that government needs a good smack.
Jamie and Ace perhaps bear the most weight.
They're the brains of the operation, at any rate.
They'll laugh and they'll jest, but at the end of the day.
For them it's all been work, not one minute of play.

Neither will rest until their goal is met:
Make the youngest the King, whatever the bet.
Luffy would bring peace, where they would incite war.
He has the power to fly in places no one can soar.
Shanks had it right all along, he could see it before...

Jamie was first to achieve her lifelong dream.
Riches beyond that which she could have forseen.
It came at a price, the sacrifice of a life.
An unfortunate child miscarried in the strife.
But her treasure was found, all the beautiful vessels she needed.
She nearly burst from happiness upon realizing she had succeeded.
She finally had her fleet instead of one ship.
Now all she needed was that new whip...

Ace was the next, becoming quite wealthy.
Wealthy with cheer, for his Captain was healthy.
Apparently the fountain of youth was very kind.
To those who had a good heart and strong mind.
And he was reunited at last with his favorite marine.
A tall, muscular fellow, he made all eyes gleam.
After years of putting up with nonsense and shit.
Smoker had gone rogue, telling the government exactly where to shove it.

Luffy, last but far from least, had the grandest dream of all come true.
He'd hung onto that hat, kept it exactly like new.
He ushered in a new era of piracy and change.
But there was one last thing remaining to be arranged.
A cloaked man arrived at the island in splendor.
Many carried the rumor he was a big gambling spender.
He walked straight to Luffy and pulled the hood down.

The gasp was heard throughout the town.
A broad grin spread from ear to ear.
"Thought I'd come for me hat, lad. Do you have it here?"

"SHANKS!!!" they all cried, embracing their mentor and friend.
"I knew you'd all find a way," he laughed, "A means to an end."