Returning to Truk later that month, "Asagumo" provided support in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons. From September, she was assigned to patrols from Truk towards Shortland, and in October and November was assigned to nine "Tokyo Express" high speed transport operations in the Solomon Islands. During this time, she was made the flagship of the 4th Torpedo Squadron, and participated in the Battle of Santa Cruz. During the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 12 November, she assisted in sinking the American destroyer and damaging the cruiser , and afterward assisted the damaged destroyer . During the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, she rescued survivors from the battleship . At the end of the year, she returned to Yokosuka in the company of the aircraft carrier .