Nobutake Kondō
After helping evacuate surviving Japanese forces from Guadalcanal in early November, from 12–15 November, "Hatsuyuki" took part in the Naval Battle for Guadalcanal. Initially she escorted the Support Force commanded by Admiral Takeo Kurita, then joined the Emergency Bombardment Force of Admiral Nobutake Kondō. With the cruiser in the assault on enemy destroyers, "Hatsuyuki" assisted in sinking , , and and damaging . "Hatsuyuki" then returned to Truk on 18 November. After making one more transport run to Rabaul in December, "Hatsuyuki" was assigned to escort aircraft carrier back to Kure Naval Arsenal for repairs.