Haki would grow with or without awakening. Truthfully I don't think there was much difference between Luffy's CoC with Nika or without Nika..an intense battle of Haki is what blooms Haki.
Zoro's Haki grew stronger too without even a devil fruit.
I don't get Luffy's awakening wank..his devil fruit isn't that great from combat perspective.
I don't get insecurity from
@Fleet Admiral Lee Hung
Just because Luffy's awakening is dog shit doesn't mean Kizaru and Akainu won't have top tier awakenings.