One possible reason could be fear of rejection. In the Naruto universe, he has so many expectations on him. If he reveals his true self which might be more vulnerable or different from the image people have of him, he could be shunned. For example, his experiences as a Jinchuriki made him an outcast initially, so he may be afraid to show more of his true self in case it causes more isolation.
Another reason might be related to his personal growth journey. Naruto may feel that his true self is not fully developed yet and doesn't want to expose it until he has become the person he wants to be. He has been striving to gain recognition and respect, and showing his not - yet - complete true self could undermine that progress.
Perhaps it's for protection. There are many enemies in the Naruto world who would use any weakness against him. His true self might have certain emotions or characteristics that could be exploited. So, by hiding it, he is safeguarding himself and those he cares about.
He might want to protect himself. If others know how smart he is, he could become a target. Enemies might see him as a greater threat and go after him more aggressively.
In this fanfiction, his hiding of his true self can be seen as a part of his struggle. As he goes through various challenges, he has to decide when and how to reveal his true self. This decision - making process is crucial for his character growth. For instance, if he hides his true self from his friends, it can create tension in those relationships, but when he finally reveals, it can lead to a deeper bond. This back - and - forth struggle helps in shaping his character over time.
One possible reason could be that he is on a secret mission and doesn't want to be recognized. He might be infiltrating an enemy organization or spying on someone. Another reason could be that he has some new power or mark on his face that he wants to keep hidden until he fully understands or masters it.
Another possibility is that Naruto has a plan that requires him to keep his skills hidden from everyone, including Hinata, for a while. He could be waiting for the right moment to reveal them and use them to surprise and save the day, especially when it comes to protecting Hinata from a big threat that he anticipates.
Perhaps Naruto is waiting for the right moment to reveal his skills for maximum impact. He could be planning a big surprise for his enemies or wants to make a grand entrance at a crucial time. For example, in a major battle against a powerful foe, he could suddenly unleash all his hidden skills and turn the tide of the battle, which would be more effective than showing them off gradually.
It could also be part of a strategic move. By hiding his bloodline, he can surprise his opponents in battle. They would underestimate him based on not knowing about his true powers, and then he could turn the tables on them when the time is right. This gives him an edge in combat situations.
Maybe he wants to protect his loved ones. If his enemies know his true strength, they might target his friends and family to get to him. So, by hiding his skills, he can keep them out of harm's way while still being able to fight when necessary.
Another possibility is that Naruto has his own plans and goals that he wants to achieve independently. His true power might be a key factor in these plans, and he doesn't want his parents' influence or interference. He wants to prove himself on his own terms, without relying on his family connection.
Perhaps Naruto has a big dream, like becoming Hokage. She might think that in a world where male leadership is more common, hiding her gender would increase her chances of being taken seriously. People might be more likely to believe in a male's ability to lead rather than a girl's, so she hides it to pursue her goal more effectively.
Perhaps he has hidden the full extent of his Sage Mode abilities. He might be able to stay in Sage Mode for a much longer time than he has shown so far, or have some other undisclosed powers within that mode, like the ability to sense enemies from much greater distances.