According to Kaido, Awakening is when the mind and body are able to haness the ability. This I think, sums up awakening, because this implies that it’s a natural procedure, which means it be might possible to force, or stimulate it.
In natural circumstances, the devil fruit awakens when the coditions are complete, when the body is strong enough to provide energy and handle the Awakening (hence the overconsumption of energy when using Awakening). And in case of the mind, i think this is specific for Zoans because there’s another element, which is the will of the fruit.
I presume the user’s will must align with the devil fruit, for it to awaken. Luffy stating his main drive, the very trigger of this wole battle for him:
I think it’s right here, this is the moment where Luffy’s will aligns perfectly with Nika, freedom, and the will to liberate people, resulting in the fruit finally awakening and responding to its user.
*by hereonlyforonepiece
