I think there is mistake on oda part.
for this to make more sense for the general audience, he has to explain more regarding devil fruit origin, perhaps a page or some panel back in reverie or the act break.
Some of us that are massive nerds can kinda imply or assumed what happened, thus be patient regarding this nika fruit.
Like the awakening is clearly a paramecias awakening and not zoans.
More explanation regarding zoans will is also nice because us one piece nerds can kinda see is already back in alabasta, but general audience maybe brushed it off