One possible reason could be the weight of his past. Naruto grew up as an orphan, constantly shunned by the villagers. In the fanfiction, this feeling of isolation might be intensified, making him constantly depressed. Another reason could be the pressure of his goals. He aims to become Hokage but might face numerous setbacks that make him feel inadequate and depressed.
It could also be related to his unfulfilled dreams. Naruto has big dreams for the village and for peace. But as he progresses, he might realize that achieving true peace is far more difficult than he thought. The gap between his ideals and the reality might be leading to his secret depression.
One possible reason could be unrequited love. If in the fanfiction, Sakura continuously rejects Naruto or shows no interest in him, it can lead to his depression. Naruto has deep feelings for Sakura for a long time, and constant rejection can be soul - crushing.
One possible reason could be the loss of his friends. In the Naruto universe, his friends are his most precious. If he were to lose some of them in a really tragic way, like Sasuke turning truly evil and being killed while trying to destroy the village, it could plunge him into severe depression. Another reason might be the weight of his unfulfilled dreams. Naruto has always dreamed of a world of true peace, but if in fanfiction he constantly faces setbacks in achieving this, like new wars breaking out despite his efforts, it could lead to depression.
One possible reason could be the intense and often dark nature of Anbu missions. Naruto might be exposed to a lot of death and destruction, which could lead to his depression. For example, he could witness the killing of innocent people during a mission and feel powerless to stop it.
Perhaps Sakura is overly critical of Naruto in the fanfiction. She might focus on his flaws and not give him any credit for his achievements. Naruto, who has always been striving for recognition, especially from Sakura, would be deeply affected by this. Her constant criticism could chip away at his self - esteem and cause him to sink into depression.
One reason could be that Gaara, being a powerful and complex character, might have a different view on the concept of friendship. If he were to tell Naruto that his friends are only with him out of obligation or because of his status as a hero, Naruto might start to doubt his relationships and become depressed.
In many of these fanfictions, Sakura's depression can strain her relationship with Naruto. If she's depressed because of her feelings for him, she might push him away. For example, she could avoid him or be short - tempered when he tries to be friendly. With her friends like Ino, her depression might make her seem distant, causing Ino to be worried and try to reach out more.
In the original Naruto, Naruto's character development is about him finding his place in the world and achieving his dreams. He is full of hope and energy. In the 'naruto is always depressed fanfiction', this development is completely different. His depression might make him question his dreams and his purpose. He may not have the same drive to become Hokage or to protect the village. His internal struggles are more about his emotional state rather than his growth as a ninja as in the original story.
Sakura could encourage Naruto to engage in activities he used to enjoy. For example, if Naruto liked eating ramen, she could take him to Ichiraku's. Also, she could remind him of his past achievements and how far he has come. By showing him that he is capable of great things, it might boost his self - esteem and help him out of his depression.
It could be the weight of his responsibilities. Percy has always had a lot on his plate, saving the world multiple times. The constant pressure to be the hero might finally get to him, making him feel like he can't keep up. He might start to think that one day he'll fail and cause great harm.