Maybe he was protecting someone in Wave. He's always the self - sacrificing type, so he could have put himself in harm's way to save a villager or a friend.
Maybe he starts to train with one - armed techniques. He could learn from other one - armed ninjas if there are any in the fanfiction world. His friends would also play a big role. They might encourage him to keep going or help him in his training.
Another possibility is that Naruto and Yang have a special bond. This bond could be formed through shared experiences, like they both went through a difficult training together or survived a life - threatening situation. Because of this special connection, Naruto feels indebted to Yang or simply values Yang's life more than his own arm.
The cannon arm on his belt in comics could have multiple meanings. It could be a mark of their identity, a tool for protection, or even a plot device to drive the story forward. Sometimes, such elements are added for pure visual appeal or to make the character stand out.