The Rod's just a key, remember? After I retrieve the Items from Shadi, Yugi and whoever has the Tauk... I won't need it as a key anymore.

[That's not strictly true. He needs Yugi still, but he's still hiding that fact. But Malik doesn't need to know that. Having never experienced the duel against the other Malik, he also doesn't know of his connection with Shadi. If he did, he'd never have mentioned that, either.]

Once the Gate opens... there's no need for any of it. I'll have what I seek... and everything will be fine.

[For him.]