Perhaps after facing too much betrayal from the village he loves. If the villagers turned on him despite all his efforts to protect them, it might lead him to close his heart in self - defense, not wanting to be hurt again. He's always tried so hard to gain their acceptance and if that was all for naught, it would be a huge blow.
It could also be due to the constant pressure and expectations on him. He's always had to be the hero, the one to save the village. If he feels he's constantly failing or not living up to those expectations, he may close his heart to protect himself from that self - doubt and disappointment. In the fanfic, perhaps there are new threats to the village that he feels he can't handle, and this leads to him shutting down emotionally.
Well, it might start with Naruto distancing himself from his friends. He stops going on missions with them, and he doesn't show up at their usual gathering places. For instance, he might avoid Ichiraku Ramen, which was always a place of connection for him and his friends.
Self - reflection is key. If Naruto takes the time to really look at himself and understand why he closed his heart in the first place, he can start to work through those issues. Maybe he realizes that closing his heart is only causing him more pain in the long run and that by being open, he can experience the full range of human emotions again, both the good and the bad.
One possible reason could be to protect his friends. He might think that by sacrificing his heart, some great danger or enemy would be vanquished, thus ensuring the safety of those he cares about. For example, if there was a powerful curse that could only be broken by his heart's sacrifice.
One possible theme could be redemption. If a character has a 'demon in his heart', they might strive to overcome it and find redemption. Another theme could be self - discovery. As the character battles their inner 'demon', they may learn more about themselves.
One possible reason could be jealousy. Maybe his brother has some special abilities or gets more attention that Naruto feels he should have. For example, if his brother is really good at a certain jutsu and is always praised for it while Naruto struggles, that could lead to resentment.
One possible reason could be that Naruto is afraid of endangering his friends. He has many powerful enemies, and he might think that by staying away from his friends, they won't be targeted. For example, Orochimaru was always after Sasuke, and Naruto might fear that his closeness to Sasuke could put Sasuke in more danger.
One possible reason could be a misunderstanding. Maybe some false information was spread about his mother, making Naruto believe she had abandoned him. Another reason could be related to the secrecy around his mother. If he grew up feeling alone and not knowing about her, he might develop resentment.
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.
One possible reason could be a long - held misunderstanding. Maybe Naruto discovers some family secrets that he misinterprets as betrayal or neglect. For example, if he finds out that his family had made some sort of pact that he disagrees with, it could lead to his rejection.