In the 'naruto has a mask fanfiction', it might be that Naruto finds the mask himself. He could stumble upon it during one of his adventures, perhaps in an ancient ruin or a hidden cave. The mask could be enchanted or have some special property that draws Naruto to it, and he decides to keep it and figure out its secrets on his own.
The mask in the 'naruto has a mask fanfiction' might be a symbol of mystery. It could hide Naruto's true identity or feelings. Maybe he uses it to conceal a new power he has acquired and doesn't want his enemies to know about right away.
Maybe it was Jiraiya. Jiraiya was a very important figure in Naruto's life. He could have given Naruto the mask as part of a training exercise. He might have thought that wearing a mask would force Naruto to rely more on his intelligence rather than his brute strength in certain situations.
His enemies, too. They might realize that Naruto is not as straightforward as they thought. If he shows a more cunning side by dropping the mask, they would have to adjust their battle strategies. For example, Orochimaru might find Naruto a more formidable opponent than he initially believed.
It might give Naruto new types of jutsus. For example, if the Kitsune have the ability to create illusions, the mask could grant Naruto the power to use more advanced genjutsu. He could use these illusions not only in battle but also to deceive his enemies in strategic ways outside of combat.
His friends would be affected. For example, Sasuke might see Naruto in a new light and realize that they are more similar than he thought, both having their own inner struggles. Sakura would also be more empathetic towards Naruto and might try to be a better friend, offering more emotional support.
One possible reason could be for disguise. Maybe he is on a secret mission and doesn't want to be recognized easily. In the Naruto world, there are many dangerous foes, and wearing a face mask can help him blend in or hide his identity from those who might be targeting him.
There might be. Naruto fanfic is a vast genre where writers like to experiment. The Happy Mask Salesman has a rather strange and captivating persona. Some fanfic authors may see the potential in bringing him into the Naruto universe to create new plotlines, perhaps involving strange masks with unique powers in the world of ninjas.
Another reason might be related to a plot device in the fanfiction. The author could be using the loss of the mask to create a turning point in the story. It might lead to new relationships being formed or old ones being tested. For instance, his friends might react in different ways when they see his face without the mask, and this could drive the story in different directions.
It could be Sasuke. He might be wearing a mask for some mysterious reason, like hiding his new powers or a new allegiance. Maybe he's on a secret mission that even Naruto doesn't know about at first.