In fanfiction where Naruto becomes distant, what could be the possible reasons for his change?

One possible reason could be a major betrayal. Maybe someone he trusted deeply, like a close friend or a mentor, turned against him. This would make him lose faith in people and become cold as a form of self - protection.

One possible reason could be a great betrayal. Maybe he discovers that someone he deeply trusted, like a close friend or a respected mentor, has been using him all along. This would shatter his trust and make him withdraw from people, thus becoming cold.

Perhaps he is trying to distance himself from his past self. Naruto has had a tough childhood and has been through a lot. Changing his appearance could be a way for him to start anew, to shed the image of the 'troublemaker' or the 'lonely kid'. He might want to present a new, more confident and respected image to the people around him, both friends and foes.

One reason could be a great loss. Maybe he lost someone really important like Jiraiya in a more tragic way that made him shut down. Another could be that he discovered some dark secret about the village that made him lose faith in everyone.

Another reason could be a personal journey of self - discovery. Naruto might feel that his identity as the hero of the village has become a burden or a limiting factor in his growth. Changing his identity could allow him to explore new aspects of himself, away from the expectations and responsibilities that come with being Naruto Uzumaki.

One reason could be to explore a different side of Naruto's character. In the original series, he's so warm - hearted, but by making him cold and distant, the writer can show how different events could have shaped him in an alternate way. Maybe he faced more hardships or betrayals that led to this change.

Perhaps a dark power corrupts him. In the fanfiction, there could be some sort of dark chakra or evil entity that latches onto Naruto. This entity could slowly eat away at his emotions, starting with his heart, making him gradually lose his ability to feel empathy and turn heartless.

One possible reason could be extreme loneliness. Naruto has always faced some degree of isolation in the original story. In a fanfiction, this could be exaggerated to the point where he feels there's no way out and becomes suicidal. Another reason might be the failure to protect his loved ones. If in the fanfiction, he fails to save his friends or the village multiple times, the guilt could be overwhelming.

One possible reason could be that Naruto feels abandoned. His father was not around during his childhood, and he had to face a lot of hardships alone. Growing up without a father figure, he might have developed resentment.

In such a fanfic, it might be due to a false accusation. Suppose Naruto is wrongly accused of a heinous crime like mass murder in the village. Everyone turns against him, and he has no way to prove his innocence. This overwhelming sense of injustice and isolation could drive him to suicidal thoughts. Also, if he discovers some dark secrets about his past, such as his parents' real cause of death being related to some sort of betrayal he unknowingly caused, it could break his spirit.