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.
Another reason could be strategic. He might be planning something big in the long run. By hiding his intelligence, he can catch his opponents off - guard. For instance, in battles or political situations within the ninja world, if he suddenly reveals his true intelligence and comes up with a brilliant plan, it will be much more effective than if everyone knew all along how smart he was.
Naruto could be trying to fit in better with his peers. If he's always showing off his intelligence, some of his friends or comrades might feel intimidated or left out. By hiding it, he can maintain closer relationships with them.
He might use simple language on purpose. For example, he could pretend to be confused about things he actually understands well. He may also make silly mistakes intentionally to give the impression that he's not as smart as he really is.
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.
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.
One reason could be that he wants to avoid unwanted attention. In the fanfiction world, being overly intelligent might make him a target. Another reason might be that he is trying to fit in with a certain group that values other traits more. For example, if he's in a group that values physical strength over intelligence, he may hide his smarts to seem more like them.
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.
One reason could be that he doesn't want to stand out too much. In the fanfiction world, just like in the original Harry Potter story, being overly intelligent might draw unwanted attention, especially from the bad guys. He might be afraid of being targeted more if his intelligence is known.
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.
He might pretend to not understand complex concepts. For example, when others are discussing advanced magic theories, he could act confused even though he actually gets it.
He may also choose to stay quiet during discussions where his knowledge could shine through. Instead of speaking up and showing off his intelligence, he lets others do the talking and only chimes in when it's necessary or when he can play dumb and ask simple questions.
He might use some special jutsu or seals. For example, he could use a sealing technique to suppress the signs of his bloodline. This way, others wouldn't be able to detect it through normal means like sensing chakra.