Another option is that he's hiding from his own friends. Maybe there's something he's ashamed of or a secret he's keeping that he doesn't want his friends to discover. So, he uses the mask to create a barrier between his true self and them while he tries to figure things out on his own.
He could be hiding from Orochimaru. Orochimaru has always been interested in Naruto's power. Maybe Naruto has discovered a new power that Orochimaru wants even more desperately, so he hides behind a mask to avoid Orochimaru's detection.
Chapter 138 is the strongest chapter-level answer because it starts from Is there such a good deal? and follows through on Could it be that the poison also had a side effect of making a person more....
The best chapter pointer here is Chapter 96, "Can't Easily Forgive the Scumbag!". It opens with Jiang Li's words seemed absurd, yet there also seemed to be a trace of... and closes on Xu Ling couldn't contain her soft sobbing, "How could this happen?.
Look to Chapter 138 for the clearest answer. It begins with Is there such a good deal?, keeps building through Qi Tianyu quickly nodded in agreement and knelt down to start helping..., and lands on Could it be that the poison also had a side effect of making a person more....
A practical answer is Chapter 97, because it turns the idea into a concrete scene. The chapter opens with Suddenly, Jiang Li's livestream room was packed with people, and the..., adds pressure through Master, you're the only one who can help me now., and ends on And you believe what she says?.
Chapter 109 is the strongest chapter-level answer because it starts from And another thing," Jiang Li said, taking out a tissue to wipe her lips,... and follows through on [You're indeed more likable than me, the type of likable where people....
Look to Chapter 143 for the clearest answer. It begins with Is there really such delicious fish soup in the world?, keeps building through Sister Li, you are too awesome!" The fish soup was not only fresh and..., and lands on The live stream audience couldn't help but praise, "You can only see.
Look to Chapter 130 for the clearest answer. It begins with This task, the first one, should have been his in the bag., keeps building through However, just as he was about to get out of the water and take a short..., and lands on Normally, the best planting distance for sweet potato seedlings is.
A practical answer is Chapter 105, because it turns the idea into a concrete scene. The chapter opens with But this did not elicit any sympathy from the woman on the phone;
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 140. Early on, In the evening, the setting sun was like blood, dyeing the entire earth a...; later, the chapter leans on Although there had been a cool breeze in the mountains in the afternoon,....
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 97. Early on, Suddenly, Jiang Li's livestream room was packed with people, and the...; later, the chapter leans on [I came from Weibo's trending topics, is Master Jiang really that awesome?.