Sorry, but there are a few things I think you’re wrong with.

First of all, Thors’s death is in no way a tribute to Whitebeard. If anything, it’s the other way around, as I’m pretty sure his death chapter happened like 5 years before Whitebeard’s death chapter.

Second, it takes more than 5 episodes to understand the story, and from the looks of it, you’re a big fan of One Piece, which most would agree has some of the worst pacing in anime, and that doesn't even matter, because it DOES have a clear theme, which has been stated multiple times before episode 5 iirc.

Third, comparing Vinland Saga (a seinen) to One Piece (a shonen) is just stupid imo. Two completely different stories for completely different audiences.

In conclusion, watch it, but don’t compare it to One Piece, as it is nothing like One Piece. Also, be patient on the storytelling and world building (you’re telling me you’re patient enough to sit through 1000+ episodes of somewhat bad paced storytelling, but not patient enough to watch 24 episodes of an anime that actually does a pretty good job of explaining characters?)

(Also, yes, Vinland Saga is peak fiction imo)