One possible reason could be a powerful jutsu gone wrong. Maybe a time - related jutsu was misfired and it sent Naruto's body back to a pubescent state. Another reason might be a curse or some sort of magical affliction placed on him by an enemy.
Perhaps it's a consequence of a deal Naruto made with a powerful entity. He might have made a pact in order to gain some great power or save his friends, and part of the deal was to go through puberty again as a test of his will and ability to adapt to new situations.
Well, if Naruto has to go through puberty again in the fanfic, it could make him more self - conscious. He might re - experience the insecurities and awkwardness that come with puberty. This could lead to a more nuanced understanding of his past self and how far he has come in his original growth.
In a fanfic where Naruto has to go through puberty again, the story could focus on his social life. Naruto was always an outcast as a child, but now with puberty, he might have a chance to reinvent himself. He could become more popular among his peers, but also face new rivalries. For instance, some of the other boys in the village might be jealous of his newfound confidence or the attention he gets from the girls. This could lead to some interesting battles and competitions, not just physical ones but also in terms of popularity and respect within the village.
It could be that Naruto has an epiphany about love and friendship. He might realize that his love for Sakura was more of an infatuation based on their childhood experiences. As he matures, he understands that true love should be mutual and free. So, he decides to let go of Sakura to find a relationship where his feelings are reciprocated, and also to respect Sakura's own choices.
One reason could be curiosity. Naruto might be curious to see how fans imagine different scenarios in the Naruto Shippuden universe. Maybe he wants to see how others view his friends and his own adventures.
One possible reason could be a misunderstanding over resources. Maybe there's a new chakra - rich area discovered near the border and both villages claim it. Another reason might be the actions of a rogue ninja from one village being wrongly blamed on the other, causing tensions to escalate.
In the fanfic, Naruto could hate the Hokage because of some bad experiences related to past Hokages. Perhaps he discovers some dark secrets about how the Hokage office has made decisions that he doesn't agree with. It might be something like a cover - up of certain events that Naruto believes should have been dealt with more fairly.
One reason could be that she realizes she has been too dismissive of Naruto's feelings for her. She might have led him on or been cruel in rejecting his advances in the past. Another reason is that she finally understands how much Naruto has sacrificed for the village and for her personally, and she feels guilty for not showing him more respect and gratitude earlier.
Another possibility is that he wants to explore the world outside Konoha on his own terms. Naruto has always been curious, and in a fanfic, he might decide that he can't be tied down to one place. He could be on a quest for self - discovery, believing that Konoha's environment is limiting his growth.
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.
One possible reason could be Naruto's pent - up anger towards Minato for leaving him as an orphan. He might feel that Minato sacrificed himself without fully considering the consequences for Naruto.