hakumen is only scary at close range when he has at least 50% meter.
6A is good, but you have to respect it; it is fairly easy to mash out of.
6B really isn't all that scary, it's super easy to react to.
5B is good, but again, you have to respect it.
hotaru is good and it forces you to respect it.
keep in mind that what hakumen gained in mid and long range, he lost in close range. 6A is still viable but not the incredible "fuck off" aura it was in ct, and that alone dramatically changes how hakumen fights at close range.